Seminar on raising export of processed food
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Emphasizing the need to encourage food processing for the benefit of farmers as well as consumers in the country, Mr. M S Aulakh, Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Agriculture University has demanded increased public sector investment in food processing industry. Addressing a 2-day seminar on ‘Export Opportunities in Processed Food & Agro Products’ organized by FIEO at Ludhiana on 19th and 20th January, he said that product quality, processing, product development, value addition, packing and well organized marketing system were important to be globally competitive in food sector, The Northern Region Chairman of FIEO, Dr R K Dhawan also focuses on developing adequate facilities for food processing in his address at the seminar. He says, "Though India is the second largest producer of vegetables and the third largest producer of fruits in the world, a significant portion of its produce was lost as the country lacked adequate processing facilities." Dr. Dhawan admits that the Government of India has launched many corrective measures to restrict post-harvest damage and encourage value addition of agricultural produce, but he feels that more efforts are needed to increase their exports from the country. For raising exports of agricultural goods from the country, FIEO Director General Mr. Ajay Sahai, among other measures, suggests the engagement of corporate sector to complete the supply chain and urges the government to introduce economic reforms in agriculture sector as well. He informed the participants that the share of agriculture export in total export had declined from 19 per cent to almost 7-8 per cent in the last 15 years mainly due to poor infrastructure, lack of proper supply chain and small holdings. Mr V K Gupta, Jt. DGFT, Ludhiana also stresses on increasing the share of agriculture in our export basket and says that Punjab has the adequate climatic and soil condition to export vegetables, fruits, honey, milk and other agro based processed foods provided the required processing facilities are created.
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