Odisha FoodPro 2022 aims to boost food processing ecosystem in state

BHUBANESWAR: To promote food processing ecosystem in the state, the government organized the Odisha FoodPro 2022, an interface of investors, manufacturers, producers, food processors, startups, policy makers and organizations.
Joining the programme through video link, chief minister Naveen Patnaik called upon all to work together to make Odisha a favoured destination for investment in food processing sector. Naveen said food processing is one of the most important sectors which can become a powerful driver of the state’s growth story.
“It has tremendous potential towards reducing post-harvest crop loss, value addition and enhancing farmers’ income. Odisha is naturally blessed with a vast geographic, climatic and crop diversity and presents a unique opportunity for exploring its potential for an inclusive and exemplary economic growth,” the chief minister said.
Stating that the event was not only conceptualised to enable the investors to understand the investment environment in the food processing sector in the state, the chief minister said it also aimed to provide exposure to the micro and small food processing entrepreneurs to access financing as well as newer skills and technologies.
Naveen, on the occasion, also announced that Odisha FoodPro will be turned into an annual event, which will be organized by the state MSME department to put Odisha on the food processing map of India and abroad. With several women self-help groups (SHG)s under the state’s Mission Shakti initiative attending the event, Naveen said the SHGs will engage themselves more in the food processing activities and will prosper further.
Outlining the policy provisions of the state, Naveen said the state government is implementing a favourable policy framework through Industrial Policy Resolution 2015, MSME policy 2016 and Odisha Food Processing Policy 2016 to create a conducive environment for the food producers and processors.