SME Times News Bureau | 18 Jan, 2017
Arunachal Pradesh can be
developed through small and micro industries, Union Minister of State
for Food Processing Industries Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti said on
Tuesday.
Speaking at 'Arunachal Pradesh Food Pro', a programme
jointly organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the
Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Sadhvi said the central
government is giving special attention to the development of the
northeastern region.
"India cannot develop without the
Northeast," she said, adding that the Ministry of Development of
North Eastern Region (DoNER) has been created to look after the
development issues of the northeastern states.
"Efforts
would be made to promote the region further," she said quoting
Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Stating that the food processing
industry contributes a total of 13 per cent to the national growth,
the Union Minister said Arunachal Pradesh with varied agro,
horticultural and other ethnic produces has huge potential for
development of food processing industry.
"Though an
industrially backward state, Arunachal Pradesh can be developed
through small and micro industries," she added.
Appreciating
the locally-grown fruits, in particular 'kiwi', which is much better
in taste and quality than that of Germany and New Zealand, Sadhvi
said that through food processing, the whole nation can be
developed.
"The four mega food parks being set up in the
northeast would provide enough scope for promotion of the sector,
besides creating job opportunities for the youths," she
said.
The minister assured the state she would look into its
problems and extend support from her ministry for its
development.
Arunachal Pradesh Industries Minister Tamiyo Taga
said that the food processing industry is of enormous significance
for socio-economic development and employment generation.
"It
(food processing industry) does value addition to the agriculture,
horticulture and other edible produces, thereby reducing wastage of
food products and contributing to the growth of agro, food processing
and plantation industries."
Highlighting the status of
the sector in the state, Taga said that 94 per cent of the state's
population depends on agriculture to earn its living.
The
state experiences varied agro-climatic conditions and smooth
topography, which enables a good growth of horticultural produces,
like spices, aromatic and medicinal plants and flowers and mushrooms,
besides food crops, Taga said.