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On the second day of the Uttarakhand Investors Summit, Agriculture Minister Subodh Uniyal said that MoU of Rs 4834 crore have been signed in the field of Agriculture and Horticulture. MoU of Rs 1325 crore in Aroma Sector, Rs 1309 crore in Organic Farming and Rs 2200 crore in Horticulture have been inked. He told that Rs 500 crores are being invested in the state by Rasna. There are 42 food processing sectors in India, out of which 2 are there in Uttarakhand. He said that the in food processing in the hill area, sector is being set up in Nautha from which 500 people will get employment. Currently tea cultivation is being done in 300 hectares of land in Uttarakhand. It will be increased to 1300 hectares.
Argentina wants to invest in the field of Herbal in Uttarakhand. Work is being done by creating separate clusters to increase organic farming. Cultivation of a similar product from 200 hectares to 400 hectares will be done as the state government wants that farmers should get good price of their product. Currently 24 cold chains have been established in Uttarakhand. 15 cold chains have been established under one and a half year. He said that currently 1 lakh acres of organic farming is being done. By next year, it will be increased to 3 lakh acres.
State Minister Rekha Arya said that 70 per cent of the state population lives in rural areas. Animal Husbandry will help in boosting their economic condition. She said that organic farming is possible through animal husbandry. She said livestock production is an important part of our livelihood. There is excessive demand for investors in this area. She said that Semen Lab is being set up in the state for the promotion of animal husbandry and the animals of the advanced breed. She said that we are unable to fulfil 36 per cent of the fodder requirement. For this, investors can prepare business models. She said that using modern technology, women should also come forward in the areas of poultry, dairy, fishery, mushroom etc.
Joint Secretary, Food and Processing, Government of India, MParag Gupta said that there are many possibilities in the field of food processing. We all are already associated with food processing. Today, it is happening through new technology. He said that more and more cluster should be made in the state and food processing industries should be set up there.
Union Minister for Food Processing Shmt. Harsimrat Kaur Badal said that the one can get a glimpse of whole of India in Uttarakhand. This is Devbhoomi, where the saints have done Jap & Tap. She said that farmers work hard but grains get wasted due to lack of basic facilities. For this, the farmers will have to be provided basic facilities. She said there is immense potential of food processing in the Devbhoomi.
On this occasion, Secretary Dr R Meenakshi Sundaram provided several informations to the investors. Rabo Equity Advisors Chairman and Managing Director Rajesh Shrivastav, Patanjali Food and Herbal Park Chief Executive Officer Ravinder Chaudhari, Chairman of Anand Dairy Radheyshyam Dikshit and Managing Director of Frick India Jasmohan Singh also expressed their views.
