THE government is considering a proposal to allow foreign direct investment (FDI) in food retail albeit with a caveat that all companies would have to meet mandated export obligations. The Ratan Tata-led Investment Commission has favoured permitting FDI in food retail, especially fresh and processed fruit and vegetables, with export commitments.

Ties up with farmers for contract farming of prawns Unveiling plans The proposed processing plant will have two units (to process marine foods and vegetables and fruits) with an overall 3.5 tonnes an hour capacity. The firm's hatcheries division will supply seed and feed with buyback guarantee to farmers with whom it has tied up for contract farming. R. Ravikumar

The economy of Karbi Anglong is basically agrarian and hence the economic development of the district is dependent on agro-based activities. The Animal husbandry, veterinary and dairy development programmes come next to the agriculture. This provides alternative occupation to the jhumia families and farmers. The cooperative movement which started in Gujarat with AMUL as a flagship scheme has now spread to almost 200 districts including Karbi Anglong.

THE government on Thursday approved soft drink major Coca-Cola's $52.54 million (around Rs 205 crore) investment plan for India. The investment will be made in Hindustan Coca Cola Holdings (HCCH) by its parent company for capital expenditure of Hindustan Coca Beverages (HCCB), the bottling subsidiary of Coke. The capex by Atlanta-based company is part of its earlier plan to invest $ 250 million in India.

FOOD and beverage companies will no longer be able to get away lightly if found guilty of adulteration. The government is setting up a regulator and putting in place stringent rules for food and beverage manufacturers. The watchdog would start functioning from May. Should any mishap occur due to the consumption of a product, the erring company may have to pay a compensation of Rs 3-5 lakh. The company's officials would also face 3-7 years' imprisonment.

The Union Cabinet's Committee on Economic Affairs on Thursday approved a proposal for an investment of $52.4 million (Rs.205 crore) in Hindustan Coca-Cola Holdings Private Limited by its parent company to predominantly fund capital expenditure in its subsidiary, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Private Limited.

After slugging it out in the health and wellness snacks and beverage categories, FMCG companies are gearing up to out do each other in ice creams. All major players in the Rs 1,200-crore ice cream market are all set to adorn a health-oriented look this year by offering more such products. Amul, the market leader in the ice cream space, has already launched probiotic health and wellness ice creams and is also offering sugar free variants.

The state cabinet on Thursday amended some provisions of Industrial Promotion Policy Action Plan (Amended 2007) to make it more effective. As a result of this the policy has become convenient and result-oriented. Now, mega projects of food processing projects would be provided land on concessional rates. Earlier, land to such units was provided free of cost. Under the extension scheme, taxation period of the existing industrial units has been amended.

Good returns: Women Self-Help Groups being trained in making value added products. Cultivating is futile without processing and value addition, especially when our farmers are struggling to find ways to increase their income from farms. Local value added agricultural food production is an important strategy to sustain many small and marginal farmers.

The Betul, Naqueri & Canaguinim Citizen Action Committee has threatened to intensify its ongoing agitation if the government fails to immediately scrap the Food Park and Auxiliary services for the Foo