Pm Modi inaugurates India Food Park in Tumkur

New Delhi, Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today said the Union Government was committed to boosting the agricultural economy and empowering the farmers by facilitating value addition through creation of appropriate infrastructure, including rural connectivity, storage and warehousing. He was addressing a large gathering at Tumkur in Karnataka, after inaugurating the India Food Park. Speaking about this project, the Prime Minister said it will fulfil the vision of “Annam Brahma” – Food is God. He said his Government is committed to ensuring that as the farmer provides food for all, he should also get good income for his produce. (Kisan hamaare pet bhi bhare. Kisan Ki jeb bhi bhare).
The Prime Minister said value addition in agriculture and food products is not new to India. In a number of illustrations, the Prime Minister mentioned Sattu, Ghee, Jaggery (Gud), Pickle and even recalled how the ancient sea trade route between India and Europe was referred to the Spice Trade Route.

The Prime Minister said that if India is to progress, the Centre and States have to work together as a team for country to progress. He said India can be strong and developed only if its states are strong and developed. The Prime Minister said central schemes will have to be implemented by both the Centre and the State working together. Shri Narendra Modi said he will follow India’s federal structure in letter and spirit. Speaking of India Food Park, he said this project had a combination of Central, State and Private Sector Partnership. He said his Government will boost infrastructure facilities required for the agriculture and food processing sector through Public-Private Partnership.

The Governor of Karnataka, Shri Vajubhai Vala, the Chief Minister of Karnataka Shri Siddaramaiah, and Union Ministers Shri Ananth Kumar, Shri Sadanand Gowda and Ms. Harsimrat Kaur Badal were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister of Food Processing Smt. Harsimrat Kaur Badal said that 5 Mega Food Parks have been approved and the process to sanction 17 more Mega Food Parks is currently on. She said that food processing would be instrumental in not only increasing the income for the farmers but would also help in reducing the wastage of perishable agricultural commodities. Pointing out that India was the second largest producer of milk in the world and second largest producer of fruits and vegetables, the Union Food Processing Industries Minister outlined the steps being taken by the Government to promote food processing sector.

The India Food Park inaugurated in Tumkur, Karnataka has been put up in a 110 acre area and has world class food processing facilities that integrates the entire food value chain from farm to plate at a single location with the best infrastructure and technology.