Chief Minister Kamal Nath gave instructions to Horticulture, Food Processing and Industries Departments to ensure commercial operation of new food processing units by March end by setting new targets. He was reviewing the current status of Food Park and the status of new food processing units in the State here on Thursday.
Underlining the vast scope of food processing units in the state, the Chief Minister said that assessment of progress by only plots allotment and a little infrastructural help in the food park is not sufficient. Success of units should be decided by their commercial production and sale of products. Infrastructure provision is just an initial activity.
Referring to the Food Processing Policy, 2014, which is currently effective in the state, Nath said that will power is more important than policy. Best works are being done by many states without any food processing policy. He mentioned that immediate action should be taken if there is a scope of any other food processing units in Orchid Park of Chhindwara, Garlic in Mandsaur, Coriander Processing park in Guna, clusters or at any other place. Provide immediate help to investors or industrialists showing interest in the state.
He gave instructions to complete the procedure within 7 days for Orchid Park of Chhindwara. It was informed in the meeting that Madhya Pradesh has been chosen by the Dabur Company for Ayurved Medicine Park.
The Chief Minister further mentioned that as far as possible, the entrepreneurs of the state should be encouraged to establish food processing units in the food park. Provide them complete help. Nath said that there is also a wide scope of fruits processing and medicinal plants processing in the state. Owing to this, a new field of Ayurvedic Medicine Research is emerging. Prepare a strategy for timely utilization of this opportunity. Departments connected to this field should approach entrepreneurs and investors themselves and encourage them to set up units in the state.
Agriculture Minister Sachin Yadav and Senior officers of the concerned departments were present at the meeting.
