Bhopal:Saturday, September 6, 2008:Minister of State for Food Processing and Horticulture Shri Karan Singh Verma has said that farmers’ development can be ensured only through correct pricing for their produce. He was addressing a daylong workshop on the subject ‘Food and Security’ here today. Shri Verma informed that food parks will be established at six places in Madhya Pradesh.
Shri Karan Singh Verma said that food security is very important for every state. Food security is the subject of worldwide concerns these days. He informed that food security and quality regulations have been laid down in several countries on the things produced by them.
Shri Verma said that Madhya Pradesh holds out ample potential in the food processing sector. According to him, a number of new schemes are to be implemented by the year 2012 for promoting food processing in the state. Under this scheme, three new food parks are proposed to be set up at Ratlam, Harda and Bhopal. In the same series, six new food parks are being set up at Borgaon, Jaggakheri, Nimrani, Malanpur, Maneri and Pipariya. For this purpose, 422-acre lands have been provided separately in different districts. He hoped that the workshop will prove to be beneficial for entrepreneurs.
Earlier, regional director of P.H.D. Chamber Shri R. Kothari informed that India is No. 1 in the preparation of several food products including milk, poultry, vegetables, cereals etc. Horticulture Director Shri A.K. Singh underlined the need of food security and marketing as well apart from establishing industrial units.
The workshop was held under the aegis of P.H.D. Chamber and Quality Control of India which was attended by microbiologists, exporters, hotel managers, lab assistants etc. The workshop gave information of various subjects including domestic food regulations, food safety system, voluntary international certification etc.