Odisha attracts entrepreneurs to set up food processing units

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Wednesday organized an interactive session on food processing industries to attract entrepreneurs to set up food processing units in the state.

The Industrial Promotion & Investment Corporation of Odisha (IPICOL) organized the interactive session to enlighten potential investors and current stakeholders about the investment opportunities available in the state.

Industries and MSME Minister Dibya Shankar Mishra said the food processing sector is one of the most promising sectors in the state of Odisha with a high potential to grow in the future.

With the country’s agro and food processing sector expected to reach a size of US $530 billion by 2020, Odisha has been facilitating creation of an ideal business eco-system to make the state a hub in the eastern region, said the Minister.

He said Odisha is endowed with natural resources, long coastline and favorable climatic conditions for the production of a variety of agri-produce, fruits, vegetables, and marine produce.

Mishra also invited the industry and entrepreneurs to invest in Odisha.

“The Government will assist all the investors and industrialist to set up units in the state,” he said.

The state’s robust, dedicated and entrepreneur-friendly food processing policy and guidelines which make Odisha a favourable destination for investing in the food processing sector were highlighted in the course of the session.

Industries and MSME secretary Hemant Sharma said, “With the availability of raw materials, 10 agro-climatic zones, agriculture resources, seafood, farming landscape, adequate cold storage capacity and easy connectivity to ASEAN region, Odisha has all the ingredients required for the food processing & seafood sector to flourish in the state.”

“We are further providing several subsidies to encourage investors to choose Odisha,” he added.

IPICOL managing director Nitin Jawale through his presentation on National Food Processing Policy Ecosystem emphasized how the food processing industry is of enormous significance.

He further enlisted the investment opportunities available

•          Food processing in sub-sectors such as Fisheries, Poultry, Cereals, Fruits and Vegetables, Nuts, Spices etc and Packaging of Food Products

•          Infrastructure Development – Integrated Food Parks, Cold Storages and supporting Infrastructure

•          Backward Integration & Skill Development