‘Food processing clusters to boost India’s economy’

AMRITSAR:SETTING up of food processing clusters is extremely crucial for India’s growth story, said Narayan Bhaskar, adviser, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, during a seminar at Khalsa College on Saturday.

The food processing nucleus was organised by Khalsa College Governing Council (KCGC) to introduce the participants with the Union government’s policy of setting up food clusters in the country and ensuring adherence to food safety norms.

Referring to huge working population engaged in the agriculture sector, FSSAI adviser said, “Agriculture sector’s contribution to the national GDP has declined over the years and forms only 15% of the total GDP today. With more than 60% of the population engaged in this sector, the per capita income of the people is pathetically low.”

He was accompanied by Chindi Vasudevappa, vice-chancellor, National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship & Management, Sonepat.

Vasudevappa, stressed on the need for food testing before its public consumption and assured that government is keen to ensure food safety. “As a step in this direction, the government has proposed to undertake mapping of areas of fruits and vegetables and other perishable goods in different states as part of agroprocessing clusters.

He also emphasised on the need for setting up a food testing infrastructure in Amritsar, given its proximity and connectivity with Punjab, HP and J&K.

KCGC joint secretary Gunbir Singh said that the policy of setting up food processing units should be based on the principle of inclusive growth with participation of all the stakeholders for providing remunerative return to farmers as the overarching goal. The module should focus on development of clusters based on production strength of different regions to enable a targeted approach for developing the food processing industry and bringing down wastages,” he said.

The delegates spoke on identification of key areas in food processing, traditional products and the growing trends of organic farming. Principal Mehal Singh, Khalsa University V-C GS Walia, and KCGC honorary secretary Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina were present on the occasion.