Govindas seeks financial help for Food Park
Source: The Sangai Express / Manipur Info Centre

New Delhi, September 11 2014: Minister of Commerce and Industries Govindas Konthoujam said, "Food processing is a fast developing sector in Manipur.

Realising the need for development of food processing industries, the State Government has been making determined efforts to fulfil the needs of the entrepreneurs, traders, importers and exporters.

But, due to bad financial condition of the State, the State Government could not fulfil various infrastructure deficits on food processing in Manipur" .

He was speaking at the meeting of the Ministers of State Governments on food processing industries held at PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry, August Kranti Marg here today with Harsimrat Kaur Badal Union Minister of Food Processing Industries in the chair.

Govindas making a explains the State's position

Govindas thanked the Union Ministry for organizing the meeting inviting the stakeholders.

He hoped that the deliberation would bring about a better strategy for implementation of National Mission on Food Processing and other Central schemes of Ministry of Food Processing Industries.

He stated, "Manipur is gaining important with introduction of Government of India's � Look East Policy as Manipur is the Gateway to South East Asia.

Gifted with suitable agro-climatic conditions, Manipur is home to various food and cash crops, fruits and vegetable, meat and fish.

Most of the agro-horticultural produces are organic in nature and the State has vast potential for production of organic fruits, vegetables, spices, mushroom, fish, meat and milk.

And when it is processed, it has great promise of export.

Pineapple, passion fruit, bamboo shoot, mushroom and ginger have attracted wide markets outside the State" .

Referring to the implementation of National Mission on Food Processing in Manipur, Govindas Konthoujam submitted that Manipur was lagging behind its potential performance as it receives a large number of applicants with the limited fund in 2012-13.Applicants numbered 557.State Government sanctioned the entire fund to 117 entrepreneurs and would submit all utilization certificates shortly.

He informed the meeting that the State Government was setting up a Food Park at Nilakuthi in Manipur with a total project cost of Rs 3172.40 lakh.

The food park could not be completed due to shortage of finance and cost escalation.

The project was revised at Rs 4592.06 lakh by Public Investment Board of Manipur.

The State Government still require Rs 1219.73 lakh which included Rs 540.73 lakh committed liabilities for completion of the project.

Anuradha Prasad, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing visited the site on August 11 this year.

He urged the Ministry to extend the required fund from the Centre for completion of the food park soon.

The Minister of Commerce and Industries also placed the view of the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industries which intimated to the State Government that there was a huge potential for export of buffaloes, goats, pigs to Myanmar and import of maritime products.

In the matter, he stated that the export and import of livestock and maritime products would not be possible without quarantine facilities, cold chain and food testing laboratories in the border town Moreh.

He drew the attention of the Union Minister to look into it and extend financial help to the State Government for construction of the needed infrastructure at Moreh.