Food jobs and infrastructure investment boom in Andhra Pradesh
The agreement was signed at a recent Food Processing Summit by companies including Haldiram, Janani Foods Pvt, Keventer Agro, ITC, Sesh Sai Foods, MNR Agri Food Products, Foods and Inns, Freshfrugies, RF Exports, Tifosi Foods, Waycool and Supermarket Grocery Supplier Pvt Ltd.
Janani Foods said it would set up an integrated horticulture project in the state, while Keventer Agro will establish a banana procurement and processing unit.
Meanwhile the Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology (IIFPT), a national institute under the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries, will work to develop new technology to reduce post-harvest food loss and to identify new food sources as well as integrate human resource systems in the state.
The IIFPT expressed eagerness to support the agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, animal husbandry and dairy departments to greater realise the potential of the state’s food industries.
Logistics challenges
Dr C Anandharamakrishnan, director, IIFPT, said that the institute is working on seeking permanent solutions for issues such as the deterioration of nutritional quality, the impact of chemical pesticides in storage facilities, and logistical challenges in the management of stored food grains.
In a separate development, the state government has also inked 17 agreements worth about US$618.5m to boost its food processing industry. Among them, the UAE's Sharaf Group has agreed to invest about US$309.2m in the setting up of a logistics and food park.
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu held individual meetings with the leaders of the organisations and invited them to invest in the state. He assured them of the state’s cooperation in land, water and logistics required for the setting up of the businesses and plans.
