BANGALORE: The Government will soon introduce a new food-processing policy to tap the potential in the horticulture sector. The policy will lay emphasis on providing infrastructure and marketing avenues to farmers.

The policy will be formulated in tune with the development agenda outlined by President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in his "Vision Karnataka" document, sources told The Hindu . The S.M. Krishna government drafted the existing food-processing policy in 2002.

Since there is inadequate post-harvest infrastructure, the policy will focus on providing facilities such as procurement centres, grading and packing units, refrigerated transport, pre-cooling, cold storages and residue analysis laboratories.

Better productivity

Dr. Kalam had stated that horticulture should be developed in order to increase its earnings from Rs. 6,000 crores to Rs. 10,000 crores by 2009 by fusing advanced agricultural research, good water management and biotechnology. He had said that it is necessary to ensure cooperation from the National Horticulture Mission and the research and development community.

The President's vision document states that Karnataka should focus on exporting agro-food products, besides sales in the country. The total yield can be Rs. 50,000 crores. This can be ensured by converting produce into "ready food" supplied in suitable packs. It is necessary to ensure hygienic processing, rugged packaging, guaranteed quality and standardisation of products.

The policy will encourage private sector participation. Already cold storages in some districts are functioning in collaboration with the private sector. A plan has been prepared to hand over cold storages in Chikballapur and Kolar, which are ready for use, to private parties.

Floriculture

Sources said Minister for Horticulture B. Nagaraja Shetty has submitted a proposal to the Finance Department to set up a floriculture park on 100 acres of land on the outskirts of Bangalore with an initial investment of Rs. 10 crores.

To set up cold storages, the Minister wants Rs. 20 crores earmarked in the Budget. The State has received Rs. 85 crores under the National Horticulture Mission for strengthening marketing, transport facilities and procurement of horticulture crops.

Horticulture crops are grown on 15.39 lakh hectares in the State with an estimated annual production of 103.92 lakh tonnes.

The cultivation of fruit is spread over 3.13 lakh hectares and production is about 46.41 lakh tonnes. Grapes are grown on 12,070 hectares and production is about 3.08 lakh tonnes. The State contributes about 90 per cent of country's gherkin production. It exported gherkins worth Rs. 150 crores a year in the past three years.

A good number of farmers in Bijapur, Bagalkot, Chitradurga and Koppal districts have switched from traditional jowar, groundnut and other less remunerative crops to pomegranate, grapes, lime, banana and mango owing to the support extended by the Department of Horticulture and the Karnataka State Agricultural Produce Processing and Export Corporation.

The Government is also keen on setting up food parks in Jewargi, Maddur, Malur, Hiriyur, Bagalkot and Belgaum.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu