Telangana okays food processing policy
The objective is to set up 10 zones each in an extent of 500 to 1,000 acres
Hyderabad: The State Cabinet has approved the Telangana State Food Processing policy with an objective to set up food processing units in 10,000 acres by 2024-25, in view of rising food production in the State. In the first phase, the government plans to establish 10 food processing zones, each in an extent of 500 to 1,000 acres for setting up the processing units.
The policy also provides guidelines for various incentives that will be given to the entrepreneurs setting up food processing units in the State. The government will acquire and develop the land in the identified zones with all the necessary basic infrastructure. The land would be allotted to the applicants as per their eligibility. The effort is to garner investments worth Rs 25,000 crore and provide direct employment to 75,000 people and indirect employment to nearly three lakh people.
Special incentives will be given to the export-oriented units, the Cabinet decided. Separate ‘Plug and Play’ facilities will be created by the government for SC, ST and Minority entrepreneurs. The Cabinet directed the officials to implement the Food Processing policy to enhance technology and skill development in the agriculture sector.
The Cabinet decision is expected to propel the establishment of rice mills and allied industries for rice products, processing units for pulses, oilseeds, fruits, flowers, vegetables, meat, fish, poultry, milk and dairy processing units under the new policy. It has been decided to declare a buffer zone with 500 metres radius from the food processing zones and not to allow any habitations or constructions in this zone. The existing deadline of July 12 has been extended till July 31, enabling the interested entrepreneurs to submit their applications.
The Cabinet concluded that due to the significant increase in the irrigation capacity of the State, a flexible capacity has been created in the State to process the surplus produce achieved in agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries sectors. A decision was taken to provide financial incentives to producers, farmers’ associations and self-help groups to develop the value chain further through the establishment of food processing companies. Necessary action will be taken to create a rural industrial ecosystem, through the food processing industries.
The Cabinet hoped that with the development of food processing zones, economic activity and employment opportunities will increase considerably leading to the integrated development of rural remote areas in the State. The government encourages entrepreneurial opportunities in zones for rural SC-ST women. The decision was taken to encourage the establishment of food processing units in the State as well as in the country to enable the export of processed products.
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