Cold chain promoters take up lockdown-related issues with Food Processing Industries ministry

Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal interacted with promoters of 38 cold chain projects participated supported by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries in the State of Maharashtra. The promoters shared their experience gained/ problems faced in completing the projects

New Delhi:Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal, held a video conference with the promoters of the completed Integrated Cold Chain Projects supported by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries in the State of Maharashtra.

The promoters of 38 cold chain projects participated in the Video Conference. The promoters interacted with the Union Minister of Food Processing Industries and shared their experience gained/problems faced in completing the projects. Promoters also shared the challenges faced in running the cold chain projects during the lockdown period.

Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal emphasized on the need to leverage the collective strength of the Integrated Cold Chain network to cope up with the COVID-19 crisis that has posed a serious challenge to the existing supply chain of food products. Promoters also discussed issues such as piling stocks of frozen vegetables and processed dairy products not finding their traditional markets like restaurants, banquets, hotels etc. amidst the lockdown and further, the difficulty in exporting these products.

The promoters shared that a higher number of working hours is required as businesses are operating with 1/3rd or half of the labour Force. This has increased the cost of production rendering product as less competitive. Apart from these promoters took up issues like high cost of raw materials, labour and logistics issue and liquidity crises as payments have to be made to farmers. Union minister ensured promoters that issues will be solved at earliest.

Minister of State for FPI, Rameshwar Teli was also present in the meeting