New Delhi(G S DASH) : During the seminar on Opportunities for Food Processing in Odisha held on the sidelines of World Food India 2017, Shri R S Sodhi, MD, Gujrat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (Amul) declared their intent to invest around Rs 250 Crores in Dairy Sector in Odisha in the coming months. He added that currently there is a Supply gap of 30 Lac liters per day of milk in Odisha. He also disclosed that Odisha is the 2nd biggest market for Amul in India. The Seminar was chaired by Shri Prafulla Samal Minister, MSME, WECD & SSEPD, who stated that Food Processing is a focus sector for the state. In order to promote Food Processing industry, Odisha has dedicated Food Processing Policy, developed mega food parks at Deras & Rayagada and single window facilitation for investors.
Shri LN Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary, MSME Department, Government of Odisha, who gave presentation on the Opportunities for Food Processing Industry in Odisha stated that with 10 Agro Climatc zones and 480 kms long coastline coupled with surplus production of cereals, rice & vegetables, Odisha offers an enormous opportunity for food processing industry. The seminar was also adressed by Dr Saurabh Garg, Principal Secretary, Department Of Agriculture And Farmers' Empowerment, Government of Odisha; Shri Sanjay Kumar Singh, CMD, Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO); Shri Gautam Sharma, Managing Director, Indo Nissin Food Ltd; Shri Sriram Panda, Managing Director, MITS Mega Food Park and Shri P K Sahoo Business Head, Mother Dairy, New Delhi. Shri Gautam Sharma MD, INDO-Nissin Foods disclosed their plans to expand their capacity from this existing plant at 12 tons per day.
Shri Mayank Jalan, MD of Keventer Agro Ltd., during their meeting with the Odisha Delegation also expressed their intent to set up a unit for Maize Processing, promote Banana cultivation and set up a Food Processing laboratory in Odisha. Similarly, TATA Global Beverages Ltd. have also shortlisted Odisha as the potential location for setting up of a Tea Packaging Unit over 20 Acres of land with an investment of 40 Crores and employment to 400 people. AGT Foods, along with their co-promoters based in Canada also expressed their interest to make an investment of 250 Crore near Paradeep in Food Processing unit. ITC representatives along with their subsidiary, Technico Technologies indicated to expedite setting up of their of ITC FOODS Plant at Khurda. Besides, MD of Kijalk Agro Pvt Ltd., representatives of TCS, Godrej Tyson, Food from India Exim, Impeccable Innovations met the State Delegation and expressed their interest to invest in Odisha.
The Odisha Pavilion in the WFI-2017 Expo with participation of more than 25 leading Food Processing Companies of Odisha, has been the centre of attraction in the States’ pavilion and has been attracting the stream of visitors. Britannia, Indo Nission, Magma Foods, Milk Mantra, MITS Mega Food Park, Bharat Masala, Ruchi, Prime Agro, OMFED, Anmol, Paris Bakery, Cashew Association and Sea Food Association etc are participating and showcasing their products. They are finding WFI a good opportunity to promote their Business. The World Food India 2017 will continue till 5th November 2017.
