FICCI Chhattisgarh State Council organizes a webinar on “Ivestment Opportunities in Bio-Ethanol and Food Processing Sector in Chhattisgarh “

Mr. P Arun Prasad, Managing Director, CSIDC, Government of Chhattisgarh during his address spoke about the various strength of the state in Food Processing sector. He also mentioned that Chhattisgarh is amongst the “Top Achiever’ in Ease of Doing Business’ as per World Bank. In his address he also stated that the Government’s vision is to have Food Park at block/ district level and thereby to have 200 Food Parks in near future. Chhattisgarh among the fastest growing & emerging state of India, is enriched with natural resources. About 80 % population of the State depends on the Agriculture and Agro based activities. About 88 species of medicinal plants grow in the state and the government actively promotes usage of ethnomedicine, practiced by aboriginal tribes since centuries.

Chhattisgarh shares its border with seven states. The state is well connected through rail, road and air and has the potential of being India’s logistics hub.
Also mentioned that Chhattisgarh has surplus paddy production. Currently the paddy procurement in state is estimated of 80 Lakh MT, which will further increase in future. Recently, Central government
has allowed the conversion of surplus rice to ethanol. Ethanol produced from this will be utilized in making alcohol-based hand sanitizers and for blending in petrol. Department of Commerce & Industries has issued an Expression of Interest (EoI) for setting up of Ethanol plant in state of Chhattisgarh. Due to COVID-19 it was requested by the participants during the pre-bid meeting on 21st July 2020 to extend last date 10th August 2020. Interested bidders are requested to submit the proposals as per the application format mentioned in the EoI Said Mr. Arun Prasad, MD, CSIDC,Government of Chhattisgarh.

Mr. Sanjay Shukla, Managing Director, Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce Cooperative Federation, Government of Chhattisgarh. during his address talked about facilitation, collection and primary processing of MFPs and thereby allowing establishment of robust foundation for MFP processing industry resulting in generation of large scale employment in rural areas and providing actual benefits of MFP trade to the rural population He also mentioned To purchase, process MFP and establish processing industry by 31st march 2022 and make the industry worth 500 crore, thereby generating employment for 50,000 individuals of rural background.

Mr. Pradeep Tandon, Chairman, FICCI Chhattisgarh during his opening address said Food Processing industry in Chhattisgarh is the need of the hour as it will help in urbanization of rural areas, utilization of raw agricultural produce by adding value to it and delivering better price, help generate employment for rural youth and also lead to development of economy.