BIZ-MOFPI-POTATO

1 year on, no takers for 'Operation Greens' in West Bengal
    Kolkata, Feb 16 (PTI) The Centre's Operation Greens
scheme, that aims at integrated development of tomato, onion
and potato value chain, has remained a non-starter in West
Bengal even after a year of its announcement, an official said
Saturday.
    The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) had
announced the scheme in 2018-19 Budget.
    "Still there is no proposal under the Operation Greens
from West Bengal but we are hopeful to receive it in the near
future," MoPFI senior consultant Gajendra Bhujabal said on the
sidelines of a Confederation of Indian Industry organised
'Food Processing Conclave' here.
    The official said that Rs 500 crore has already been
allocated for the scheme.
    Potato had been selected for West Bengal and two of
the state's districts -- Hooghly and Bardhaman East -- were
identified for implementation of the scheme with an allocation
of Rs 50 crore.
    Bhujabal said private companies are also free to take
benefit of the scheme that offers up to 50 per cent subsidy to
strengthen potato production clusters and Farmers' Producers
organisations and linking them with the market.
    He said Bengal can even think of forming a sector
specific mini food parks like fisheries that will require
only about 15 acres.
    Mega food parks require about 50 acres to get subsidy
from the Centre. PTI BSM
JM JM