Food processing units likely in Assembly segments: Pocharam

Besides strengthening the farm sector by providing needed boost of providing marketing and MSP to the produce, the State government was planning to come up with food processing units in all Assembly segments.

Agriculture Minister Pocharam Srinivas Reddy, who chaired a Cabinet Sub-Committee meeting, told reporters in Secretariat that the State government will take a final call on setting up food processing units and better marketing and export facilities in the Assembly segments, he maintained. Srinivas Reddy said the committee comprising Finance Minister Eatala Rajender, Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao, IT and Municipal Minister KT Rama Rao, Panchayat Raj Minister, Jupally Krishna Rao and the concerned officials discussed about the steps to be taken to strengthen the farm sector, ensure MSP, marketing facility and extend support for exports of the produce.

The minister vowed to support the farmers to relieve of the debts from money lenders by getting Rs 8000 per crop in a year. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao wants that the farmers should not feel unfortunate and grief for crop failure he said. H also said that as KCR wants to see smiles on the faces of the farmers, the sub-committee is formulating the guidelines to that extent, the agriculture minister stated. Food processing units, better marketing will be in place besides farm panels to take call on MSP the minister said.

The Committee, he said, asked the officials to find place for the food processing units, need based industry on the vicinity of farm markets and other facilities. Srinivas Reddy also said that the proposed food processing units will sure provide more employment and better quality food items to the people in the Assembly segments. He also said that the officials were asked to submit a report on the plan of action. (NSS)