Karnataka government is now wooing investors not just in the area of setting up industries in food processing, but also for the improvement of warehousing and logistics infrastructure. This was indicated to scores of investors during the three-day ‘Invest in Karnataka’ meet being held here from February 3 to 5, 2016.
The state is emphasising on how the salubrious climate and access to quality manpower together with easy availability of land will enable setting up of value-added agriculture enterprises in the state.
The state’s Agri Business and Food Processing New Policy 2015 will provide an investment promotion subsidy at 35 per cent capped for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The entire state is also declared as ‘Single Zone and promoter classification is simplified. This provides a slew of levy relief like reimbursement of 75 per cent value-added tax (VAT) for five years which is capped at 100 per cent of fixed assets. There is also cent per cent exemption from stamp duty, entry tax and tax on electricity tariff. Besides, it is also extending interest subsidy for micro enterprises and technology adoption.
“It is the objective of the state to promote horticulture, animal husbandry and fisheries to help the farmers get value for their produce. We have embarked on several reforms in this direction. This policy will generate direct and indirect employment opportunities and also promote investment. It would also develop the much-required infrastructure for warehousing and logistics support to farmers,” said Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah.
The government has also provided subsidy for setting up of Effluent Treatment Plants (ETP) of Rs 50-200 lakh. There are concessional registration charges and reimbursement of land conversion fee, exemption of market fee for new-age processing units for 10 years.
“We have opportunities for investors in agriculture for setting up manufacturing plants. There is ample scope for investments in automated milk conversion an mega cattle feed, blown film of pouches and corrugated boxes,” said the officials of the agriculture department.
With the presence of 10 agro climatic zones there is ample scope for production of fruit beverages, health drinks, functional and ready-to-eat foods. There is need for operation and management of warehouses, modern sheep and goat abattoir, solar rooftop installation on warehouses, agri-logistic hubs in various districts and seafood parks in the coastal region.
With Karnataka Milk Federation being able to record 75 lakh litre production in 2015 and with demand for milk being 35 lakh litre across the state, the rest of the milk is used for manufacture of value-added dairy products (VAPDs) like curds, paneer, sweets and ghee. Therefore investors can look at flavoured milk manufacture, according to state government officials.
There are several opportunities in Karnataka to set up 2,000 million tonne capacity of cold chain facility, rice technology park and maize technology park. The research on maize and millets taking place at the University of Agricultural Sciences would enable several technology transfers, stated the officials.
