The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Separate department for food processing

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Sunday, Feb 10, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Separate department for food processing

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: The government has decided to create a separate Food Processing Department to encourage and facilitate private investment in food-processing activity to make value addition to farm produce and thus increase the farmers’ income.

Till proper infrastructure and manpower are available, the new department will work in liaison with the Marketing Department. So far, the subject of food processing is under the control of the Industries Department. The decision to constitute a separate Food Processing Department was taken at a meeting by Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Saturday. Dr. Reddy earlier accepted in toto the recommendations made by a committee appointed by him to suggest methods to develop food-processing units. The committee, headed by Agriculture Minister N. Raghuveera Reddy, visited West Bengal and New Delhi where such departments exist.

Adding value

Mr. Raghuveera Reddy told reporters that the new department would encourage activities that add value to vegetables, fruits, meat and fish in coordination with Horticulture, Agriculture, Industries, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Departments.

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Andhra Pradesh