Govt's cold storage faci @ Coimbatore
Tamil Nadu Government would start 50 more farmers' markets across the state at a cost of Rs 22.5 lakh each, a top official of the Agriculture department said.At a conference on Agro Business organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries here, Director of Agricultural Marketing and Agribusiness directorate, Atul Anand said that 10,000 farmers would be trained in "Post-Harvest Management of Crops".The objective of the training was to reduce the post- harvest loss which was 30 per cent now. As part of the scheme, 100 'drying places' would be set up at different places.Besides, cold storage facilities would be set up at Theni, Thanjavur, Coimbatore and Krishnagiri districts where grapes, coconut, onion and tomato could be stored.The markets to be set up under public-private participation, would come up in Coimbatore, Chennai and Madurai where facilities for value addition would be made. The wholesale paddy and flower market already set up in Madurai has been successful.Claiming that "contract system of farming was a boon for farmers", he said farmers were now aware of better income through this system. However, if industries could help them to add value to their produce, then agriculture would be on par with industry and there would be "win-win" situation.
