State officials want food processing boost

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept 18: State officials and scientists met today to discuss the prospect of developing world-class food processing units in Malda in order to compete with other countries. Experts said it would be difficult to be competitive if the quality of the produce is not up to the mark. Mr Sanjay Singh, director of Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council under the government's science and technology department, and other state officials including three scientists from IIT Kharagpur and Jadavpur University met with the district administrative officials. Not only the officials of the state food processing industries and horticulture officials were present but also the former minister of this department Mr. Sailen Sarkar was also present at the meeting today. The English Bazaar MLA Mr Krishnendu Choudhury said he had approached the director of the TIFAC, Mr Sanjay Singh, six months ago to provide assistance to boost up food processing industries in this district. The team today visited two private food-processing units and one cooperative society who are working on mango products and maize. The TIFAC director and scientists also interacted with the leaders of the Malda Merchants Chamber of Commerce and entrepreneurs of this district who have set up food processing units and are interested to set up units in the Malda Food Park. The team was happy with the prospect of the ongoing project of Malda Food Park after visiting the site. Mr Sailen Sarkar, environment minister, disclosed that he tried hard to boost food processing industries here which is under process at present. Mr Sarkar approached Mr Singh and other senior officials of Khadi Village Commission to extend assistance to the industrialists for food process units here. On behalf of the state government, Mr Sarkar asked them to extend all possible help to form a cluster here for the sake of food processing unit.