By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, November 4, 2017: Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (Amul) has announced to invest around Rs 250 crore in dairy sector in Odisha in the coming months.

This was disclosed at the seminar on “Opportunities for Food Processing in Odisha” held on the sidelines of World Food India 2017 by Amul managing director R S Sodhi.

At present, there is a supply gap of 30 lakh liters per day of milk in Odisha., Sodhi said adding that Odisha is the second biggest market for Amul in India.

Chairing over the Seminar, Prafulla Samal – minister, MSME, WECD & SSEPD, said that Food Processing is a focus sector for the state.

In order to promote Food Processing industry, Odisha has dedicated Food Processing Policy, developed mega food parks at Deras & Rayagada and single window facilitation for investors.

With 10 Agro Climatc zones and 480 kms long coastline coupled with surplus production of cereals, rice & vegetables, Odisha offers an enormous opportunity for food processing industry..

Shri Mayank Jalan, MD of Keventer Agro Ltd., during their meeting with the Odisha Delegation also expressed their intent to set up a unit for Maize Processing, promote Banana cultivation and set up a Food Processing laboratory in Odisha. Similarly, TATA Global Beverages Ltd. have also shortlisted Odisha as the potential location for setting up of a Tea Packaging Unit over 20 Acres of land with an investment of 40 Crores and employment to 400 people.

AGT Foods, along with their co-promoters based in Canada also expressed their interest to make an investment of Rs 250 Crore near Paradeep in Food Processing unit. ITC representatives along with their subsidiary, Technico Technologies indicated to expedite setting up of their of ITC FOODS Plant at Khurda. Besides, MD of Kijalk Agro Pvt Ltd., representatives of TCS, Godrej Tyson, Food from India Exim, Impeccable Innovations met the State Delegation and expressed their interest to invest in Odisha.

The Odisha Pavilion in the WFI-2017 Expo with participation of more than 25 leading Food Processing Companies of Odisha, has been the centre of attraction in the States’ pavilion and has been attracting the stream of visitors. Britannia, Indo Nission, Magma Foods, Milk Mantra, MITS Mega Food Park, Bharat Masala, Ruchi, Prime Agro, OMFED, Anmol, Paris Bakery, Cashew Association and Sea Food Association etc are participating and showcasing their products.