Rajasthan formulating new strategies for value addition to farm produce

The Rajasthan government is formulating new strategies for food processing and value addition to agricultural produce in an attempt to transform agricultural potential into economic prosperity. A stakeholders’ consultation held here on Monday laid emphasis on strengthening rural economy through these steps.

Presiding over the consultation at the State Secretariat, Chief Secretary V. Srinivas said the value addition would bring better prices for farmers’ produce, boost investment and create new employment opportunities for the youth.

Mr. Srinivas said the new strategies would comprise the establishment of food processing units, development of food parks and agro-processing clusters, and better facilities for entrepreneurs. Financial assistance would be provided to industries to accelerate the sector’s growth, he added.

Detailed deliberations were held on the expansion of the food processing sector, available opportunities, challenges and the necessary policy reforms in the presence of A.P. Das Joshi, Secretary, Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries.