Indian farmers need affordable machinery and technologies to expand production and come up with value-added products for export markets, said Shobha Karandlaje, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, in Bengaluru, on September 2.
Speaking at the 7th International Exhibition and Conference EIMA Agrimach India 2022 in Bengaluru, the Minister said the country currently produced 314 million metric tonnes of cereals and 334 million metric tonnes of fruits and vegetables. However, she said, the country required affordable and quality food processing, agri-marketing and agri-export avenues to create value for the country’s agri-produce.
Ms. Karandlaje encouraged equipment manufacturers and technology developers to manufacture food-processing machinery so that food waste is reduced. “Instead of wasting, through processing and value addition, the food could be exported to nations with limited food production avenues,” she added.
