KCR pitches for setting up food processing units on pilot basis

​Hyderabad: Ahead of the preparation of an action plan to promote Telangana a hub of food processing industry in the country, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao on Monday came out with a proposal. He suggested the setting up of food processing units on a pilot basis in 6 or 7 mandals initially, involving all stakeholders like Indira Kranthi Patham (IKP) groups etc.

The Chief Minister held a high-level review meeting in Pragathi Bhavan here on various aspects of food processing industry, involving IKP-women groups in food processing industry and exporting different types of agri products to other States and countries. He said that food processing should be a combined effort in which IKP- women group members and others are to be involved and should be engaged in the positive line.  

Chandrashekar Rao also underscored the need to conduct a study on the advantages and disadvantages of every farmer preferring same crop, effecting change in certain traditional farming practices and overcome the difficulties arising out of non-availability of appropriate statistical data pertaining to food and agriculture sector. 

It is unfortunate that the State was importing vegetables even products like Coriander leaves (kothimeera) and CummKin (Jeera).  “We should grow vegetable in the urban agglomeration by next rainy season, we get water from kaleshwaram project through which additional ayacut will come under cultivation”, he added.  

The Chief Minister said, unfortunately, the State did not have appropriate statistical data regarding Rice production, fruits produced, domestic food needs of people etc. The integration of Agriculture, Horticulture and other connected departments will only help to achieve good results in the farming sector. “If every farmer prefers the similar crop, they will get MSP. The farmer needs to be educated against this. They need to be a change in certain traditional habits of farmer and educate them on the advantages and disadvantages of every farmer preferring the similar crop,” he added. 

KCR said greater results could be achieved if farmer is brought into organised sector. For this, the State needs to be divided into crop colonies. Provide remunerative price to the produce and set up food processing units and manufacture branded unadulterated products in a regulated manner.