SUPPLY OF PROCESSED ONIONS AT AFFORDABLE PRICES

The government is planning to provide processed food products including onions at affordable prices and mitigate post-harvest fruit and vegetable losses, Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal said today. Badal assured the industry that policies and schemes will be reviewed, and her government will clear all the bottlenecks in order to boost growth of the farming and food processing sector. Speaking at the interactive session on food processing organised by the CII, the Minister said, "The need of the hour is to curb food inflation by boosting food processing and mitigate post harvest fruit and vegetable losses." Giving the example of onion, Badal said, "If onion prices are going up then neither the government nor housewives should be worried as processed onions could be provided at affordable prices, that is what we are aiming for." Badal added the government will simplify the whole system so that processes and clearances do not delay food processing projects. She further said, "We would like to give concessions that will encourage the industry and actually act as a catalyst. I am looking for ideas from the industry that can push growth. But there is a limit to subsidy." She also assured that the government is reviewing the role of Food and Safety Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) regarding long delays in clearing product approvals. Starting the discussion, Rasna Chairman & MD Piruz Khambatta suggested for rejuvenating mega food park schemes, cold chain development and APMC reforms. While Mrs Bector's Food Specialities Ltd Managing Director Akshay Bector said that the inflationary pressure of deficient monsoons on perishables like horticulture and dairy the supply chain management needs to be improved.