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89 MoUs signed at MP Agribusiness Meet

Staff Correspondent

BHOPAL: A total of 89 MoUs for projects worth over Rs. 6,895 crore have been signed at the Madhya Pradesh Agribusiness Meet--2007 that concluded here over the weekend.

The MoUs relate to Jatropha (Ratanjot) farming, development of barren land, establishment of sugar factories, food processing units and cold storage chains, agriculture research, organic food processing, seed production, and potato cultivation.

The MoU for the maximum investment of Rs.1,000 crore was signed between Ruchi Soya Industries limited, Mumbai, and Madhya Pradesh State Agro Industries Corporation. This firm proposes to take up Jatropha plantation in an area of three lakh hectare. Another agreement worth Rs. 500 crore was signed for Jatropha plantation by Mission Bio-fuels India Private Limited, New Delhi. Besides, MoUs for two separate projects, each worth over Rs. 400 crore, were signed for animal rearing and fat cheese plant by Hind Agro Industries Limited, New Delhi, and Daisy Agrotech.

Several MoUs for projects ranging from Rs.1 crore to Rs. 200 crore were also executed. The MoUs fall within the State Government's policy framework for the agribusiness sector.

Inaugurating the Agribusiness Meet, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan emphasised that that the focus should now be on food processing and value addition of farm produce. He said he would not like it if big companies start selling vegetables and groceries. The State Government "wants to do away with middlemen and also protect the small traders and vegetable vendors".

"We have to ensure that the big companies do not devour them," he asserted.The Chief Minister also said his Government would neither acquire land from farmers at throwaway prices nor allow another Nandigram in Madhya Pradesh.

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89 MoUs signed at MP Agribusiness Meet

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