‘Central Govt to pick produce from farms to save perishable items’

NEW DELHI: The Centre is working on an ambitious plan address the problem of wastage of food and other perishable items by linking producing states with states which have demand for such items and also ensuring fast supply to food processing industry which will help in achieving the goal of doubling farmers' income.

According to Union Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the government would become a facilitator to ensure that perishable items reach those involved in food processing industry.

“Every day, we come to know that farmers of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra discarding their items or doing distress sale of their produce,” she said.

“It's really painful. Since the Centre has already started work on developing mechanism to ensure that states producing any item in excess would be able to transport it to other states where there is a demand, the situation is soon going to change,” the minister said while inaugurating 2nd edition of Indus Food, India's official, export-focused food & beverage trade fair.

“We have already roped in organisations like NAFED to make it happen. It will greatly help farmers by getting them a proper income of their produce,” the minister said at the two-day expo being organised by Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI).

Talking about investment in food processing industry under the Modi government, Badal said, “In the 10 years of UPA rule just dollar 50 million was invested, while in NDA regime it has crossed dollar 1 billion.”