Date:11/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/04/11/stories/2006041102321200.htm

Back `Include soya food in welfare schemes'

Our Bureau

Global meet plea to Centre

Support to entrepreneurs to set up soya food business has also been sought.

Mumbai , April 10

Given the importance of protein-rich soybean in fighting nutrition deficiency in the country and rising consumption of soyabean-based products, a generic campaign support to further popularise soya food consumption has been recommended by a panel of experts.

Rounding up the two-day international conference on challenges and opportunities in soya foods held in New Delhi, the panel suggested working with the Government to include soya food products in various welfare programmes including feeding programmes of State governments.

Support to entrepreneurs to set up soya food businesses, upgrading existing processing units and training are other areas that needed attention, the panel said in addition to making efforts to get tariff and duty relief for all soya food products.

Fortification wheat flour with soya flour and development of products to meet the needs of Indian palate were also emphasised.

Soya Food Promotion and Welfare Association organised the meeting jointly with three other related bodies.