Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
ISB (Mohali), October 28: The announcement of Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal of Zero Tax on new food processing units in Punjab had an electrifying effect on Investors with 55 investors from all over the country and abroad committing investment of Rs. 8000 crore by signing MoUs in the presence of Union Food Processing Minister Mrs. Harsimrat Kaur Badal.
The Union Minister said that Punjab, popularly known as the ‘Bread basket of India’, contributes more than 40% of the central procurement of wheat, 26% of the central procurement of rice, 75% of total production of kinnows and oranges, and 7.5% of the total milk production in the country. Further, Agricultural sector plays a pivotal role in boosting India’s economy with about 21 % of GSDP being contributed by Agricultural and allied sectors against an all India figure of 14%.
Mrs. Badal apprised the participants that Punjab heralded the first Green Revolution in the country, and has made rapid strides in improving the quality and quantity of the food grain production. She said that endowed with high fertility, abundant natural resources and good quality of soil, the state enjoys high yield for various agricultural produce. Mrs. Badal said that Food processing was the focus area of investment in Punjab, and concerted efforts were being made by the government to facilitate big investments in food processing industry.
The Union Minister also said that Punjab has a strong base of a pre-existing ecosystem for the Agro & Food Processing sector, which provides it an edge over other states. She said that now Punjab is looking forward to enhance the capabilities of this vital sector through the adoption of modern technologies for food processing, and ensuring significant linkages across the value chain. The State is keen to clear the way for conducive regulatory environment of total transparency for smooth operations.
Prominent amongst those who spoke on the occasion included Punjab Agriculture Minister Jathedar Tota Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Mr. Suresh Kumar, Secretary Agriculture Mr. Kahan Singh Pannu, Siraj A Chaudhary, Chairman Cargill, Mr. Akshay Bector, Bectors Food, Vivek Bharti Executive Director Pepsico India, Mr. Sanjay Khajooria, Senior Vice President Nestle.
