A genuine food park --- as against a fig-leaf food park --- needs to be welcomed. The govt. needs to appoint independent experts to oversee this food park so that it doesnt become a placee for malls and apartments, like the IT park. Also, we dont want relatives of ministers masquerading as food-park experts.
If all of the above is taken care of, then it would be good to have food parks in Goa that generate employment, revenue. regards, Samir The articles from NT follow: >NAVHIND TIMES 11 August, 2008 >A New Roadmap >EDITORIAL Posted on 2008-08-11 Other stories in section Prosperous Future for Food Processing Sector A New Roadmap Filing of FIRs EDITORIAL A New Roadmap Mega Food Park is a scheme which would bring together farmers, processors and retailers. Unlike SEZs, it would not put pressure on land. In this background the proposal of the Union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries, Mr Subodh Kant Sahay to make Goa as a Mega Food Park, with focus on food products like cashew, poultry, meat, spice and sea food ought to be welcomed. If youth of Goa need employment opportunities, the state also needs to grow. And food processing as a non-polluting industry could be one of the kinds of roadmaps of inclusive growth of Goa as it would link agricultural production to the market, ensure maximising value addition, minimising wastages, increasing farmers? income and creating employment opportunities in rural sector. The people of Goa were scared of the SEZs as they were perceived as potential threat to the Goan identity, culture and ultimately its growth. But a Food Park is not a threat. The Chief Minister should initiate the process for setting up the Mega Food Park with the involvement of farmers and entrepreneurs. We must remember that time is running out for Goa. In fact inreased urbanization, improved standards of living, and the needs of dual income families point to major market potentialities in the food processing and marketing sectors. Prosperous Future for Food Processing Sector by NANDKUMAR KAMAT Posted on 2008-08-11 THE union minister of state for food processing industries Mr Subodh Kant Sahay who represents Ranchi in Zharkhand has given a new shape and direction to his ministry. So Goa needs to select a basket of premium fruits, vegetables, fish, shellfish, mushrooms which other states find difficult to produce on a surplus scale. Just five thousand hectares of additional land under premium local varieties of mango would create an equal number of jobs over a period of ten years. The world’s best breadfruits “neerphanas” are produced in Goa. In fact, Canadian anthropologist Dr Janet Rubinoff during her visits to Goa used to praise the local breadfruit preparations as “heavenly”. Why are Goans are hesitant to generate wealth from this breadfruit? Why we can?t have an aggressive strategy to promote local food products? Goa?s breadfruit products would have a readymade market in Europe and South East Asia. But where are dedicated commercial plantations of breadfruits? Or for that matter Kokum or the most pungent ? Tarvoti mirsang?? It is unfortunate that no progress was achieved by the state government after the Confederation of Indian food trade and industry submitted a report in May 1998 on ?Goa food park?. Compiled by Mr Vijay Sardana, secretary, CIFTI and sponsored by GIDC, it was envisaged to establish a food park at Keri-Bhutkhamb at the cost of Rs 23 crore. A food technology and management center was recommended. The site of the food park shifted to Quitol-Quepem, a bauxite rich barren plateau in 2005-06 when Mr Chandrakant Kavalekar took over as chairman of GIDC. Immediately controversies erupted over the food park proposal because people were concerned about real estate development and SEZ instead of promotion of food processing industries. The Quitol food park proposal could have been successful if farmers' cooperatives were to be involved. The Goa Bagayatadar sanghatana is the largest co-operative marketing forum of the horticulturists in the state. They need to be roped in by the government for ensuring the success of the food park venture. If the state government gives a boost to food processing industries, then within five years the problem of rural educated unemployment can be solved. A grand food processing industries fair during the tourist season may help galvanise all the stakeholders in this sector and pave the way for a prosperous future in food processing sector. The people of Goa need to positively welcome Mr Sahay’s generosity. ENDS
