North-East food processing sector part of PM Modi's 'Make in India' mission

Guwahati: The North East's Food Processing sector was a part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make In India' mission, Union Food Processing Industries Minister Harsmirat Kaur Badal said on Tuesday.

''Organic production has a very huge national and international market today and only North East India has the potential to meet this demand through organised production'', Badal said at the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Exclusive Interactive Session here.

''I am happy to inform you the North East Food Processing Industry is part of Prime Minister Modi's 'Make In India' mission'', she said.

Badal said this was her maiden visit to the North East and ''I am here to hear from the industry captains, entrepreneurs, growers of the food processing and allied sector and address their issues''.

''I was surprised to find very little utilization of funds when I took charge of the ministry but in five months I have ensured use of 50 per cent funds in a proper way'', the minister added.

She urged entrepreneurs to make maximum use of the National Mission on Food Processing.

Mega Food Parks have been conceptualized with all common infrastructure of a food processing industry under a hub like the North East Mega Food park in Tihu and ''our Government plans to set up food park in all the districts in next five years'', Badal said.

She also expressed concern on food waste in India and emphasized on the need for scientific and proper use of the infrastructure.

''Farmers are the future of Food Processing Industry and our ministry will ensure that food grown and produced reach consumers without wastage. This is what I call 'Khet to Thali' and we are committed to it'', she added.