Our Correspondent
Kohima | April 21
MK Mero, Commissioner and Secretary for Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Nagaland on Friday predicted that by 2020 cold chain facilities across Nagaland will have great prospects with completion of the 4-lane national highway between Dimapur and Kohima.
naugurating the Outreach Awareness Programme on Cold Chain under the aegis of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today, Mero said poor road connectivity and power supply has resulted in 45% post harvest loss of the state’s horticultural products.
As soon as the new infrastructure comes up, the food processing potential of the state will multiply and result into win-win situation both for farmers and end consumers, he said.
“By 2020, it is expected that the work on 4-land road connectivity will have been completed as also the power situation improved,” he added.
Additional Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department, Nagaland, Lhouchalie Viya earlier informed that the Government of Nagaland has forwarded a proposal to the Ministry of Food Processing Industries asking the Centre to come out with mini food park schemes for the state. The proposal urges the centre to create 90% of central subsidy element for Nagaland, whereas it will contribute 10% of the total cost, which should come up to Rs.20 to Rs.25 crores.
Viya further explained that in mini food parks, 4-5 processing units should be made permissible as against 30 such processing units that are necessary in the mega food parks. According to him, the Centre is inclined to support this, as it will suit the requirements of the smaller state and amount to benefiting its farmers, their produce and even the end consumers.
