Punjab to go in for food processing University

Chandigarh, June 27, 2014: Punjab Deputy chief minister has mooted a proposal to establish a Food Processing University on the lines of National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM).

The proposal, which has been mooted as a draft plan, envisages making the new university as a fulcrum for research and development of the food processing industry in Punjab.

An official spokesman here today said the proposed University would also meet the demand of investors as far as finding the required talent for the industry and training the same as per the demands of the industry.

The spokesman said it was in line with these developments that Sukhbir Singh Badal had decided to earmark a special budget of Rs. 500 crore for this purpose.

The Spokesman said following the new industrial policy there was renewed interest amongst the agro processing industry to set up their plants in the State. He said Cargill India was establishing a Feed Plant at Bathinda at a cost of Rs. 100 crore, which would cater to cattle feed needs of the dairy industry in Punjab and other neighbouring states. Another Food Processing giant ITC has also initiated the work to create Food Processing Plant near Kapurthala.

 The Deputy CM also informed the work on Mega Food Park to be setup at Fazilka under assistance from Union Food Processing Ministry would be initiated in October at a cost of Rs. 130 crore. He said the Punjab Agro Industries Corporation was finalising the formalities to establish multi product mega food-park at Ladowal, Ludhiana. Badal also informed that top players from food processing sector have also evinced their interest for setting up of Maize based mega food park on Hoshiarpur Road at Phagwara.

Emphasising the need to form 4 Food Testing Labs and 6 cold chain projects in the state, Badal said this step would further give a big push to food processing industry in the state. He said Punjab was in the process of submitting a proposal to Union Food Processing Ministry for getting Rs. 56 crores sanctioned in this regard. He also said the proposed FPU would also cater to the needs of industry besides encouraging testing and quality control labs according to the industry profile of the State. The Deputy CM also asked the Secretary Food Processing to initiate proceedings for formation of Primary Processing Centers and Collection Centers with the assistance of Union Food Processing Ministry.