Small BusinessCentre to set up model markets for perishable commodities
The Union government is planning to set model markets in every state across the country to preserve perishable commodities, said K V Thomas, minister of state for agriculture.
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Speaking at the sidelines of ‘Farm to Fork’, a two-day international conference-cum exhibition on agri-business and food processing organised by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) here the minister said these markets would preserve commodities such as vegetables and fish. This will help farmers to get better remunerative prices, he added.
“The government has decided to set up a model market in every state for storing agricultural products, fruits, vegetables, fish and meat in a hygienic condition,” he said here.
These markets would ensure that the food products are stored in hygienic condition. He noted, such markets are already exist in Kerala. He said 51 per cent of stake in the markets would be given to either the state government or local bodies while the remaining would be with private companies.
According to the minister the level of food processing in the country was still low at two per cent in case of fruits and vegetables compared to 80 per cent in USA and 70 per cent in France. Countries like Malaysia and Thailand have processed food volume to the extent of 80 per cent and 30 per cent respectively, said the minister.