AFTER THE IT boom, all eyes are set on the food processing industry and Uttar Pradesh being the highest producer of raw food material definitely promises to make it big in this sector.
Indian Industries Association (IIA), which hitherto had been talking of mass exodus for lack of infrastructure, has now changed gears to promote food processing as an industry in the State. IIA state president Tarun Khetarpal said this industry could change the face of small-scale sector in the state. All is needed awareness and effective marketing— the facets that lack in UP which, as a result, has a dismal share of 1.5 per cent of total industries..
Khetrapal stated that the recent survey, carried out by the Development Commissioner of Small Scale India (DCSSI), presented a poor state of small scale industries in UP and it stated further that there were 2,89,569 registered small-scale industries in the state about five years ago, however, 1,16,300 units were shut down, which is about 40 percent of the total registered units. It further stated that out of running units about 40 percent were sick. Khetrapal further said that the major reason for the closure of small-scale units was poor marketing of produce. The other worrying factor was that due to less food processing industries, the producers of raw food material were not getting same value as compare to other countries.
Citing an example he said that in India it was only 7 percent. Whereas, in China 23 percent, Philippines 45 percent and USA 188 percent.
{{/usCountry}}Citing an example he said that in India it was only 7 percent. Whereas, in China 23 percent, Philippines 45 percent and USA 188 percent.
{{/usCountry}}To create awareness among the industrialists and also develop market for food products in the state, the IIA had been organising an India Food Exhibition in Lucknow for the last two years and this year the exhibition would be held from February 9 to February 12 at Balrampur Garden, Lucknow, said secretary of IIA chapter Kanpur Pushpendra Agrawal.
Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav may inaugurate the exhibition. He further said that chairman of the UPDC and MP Amar Singh has given his acceptance as guest on the occasion, added Agrawal.
This time foreign delegates would attend the seminar on February 10 and Union Minister of Food Processing Subodh Kant Sahay would inaugurate the seminar, said Agrawal. However, steps has been taken to create awareness among people by organising an open interaction with experts from country and abroad at the exhibition place on February 11.