Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Monday laid the foundation stone and performed the groundbreaking ceremony for a new women’s hostel at the Government Institute of Food Processing Technology on Sapru Marg, Lucknow.
The event also witnessed the inauguration of advanced laboratory equipment installed at the institute. During the programme, Maurya distributed Letters of Comfort, grant sanction cheques, and certificates of appreciation to entrepreneurs and industrial units contributing to the growth of the food processing sector in the state.
Interacting with female trainees undergoing food processing training at the institute, the Deputy Chief Minister discussed their learning experiences, training quality, and future career prospects. He encouraged the students to become self-reliant and explore entrepreneurship opportunities in the sector. He also participated in a plantation drive under the “One Tree in Mother’s Name” campaign, promoting environmental conservation.
Addressing the gathering, Maurya said that Uttar Pradesh has a crucial role to play in realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of an “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India). He emphasized that the development of villages remains the foundation of the state’s overall progress and that strengthening farmers, rural enterprises, and local industries would accelerate Uttar Pradesh’s journey toward becoming a developed state.
The Deputy Chief Minister directed officials to organize exhibitions on food processing schemes at every development block across the state. He said the initiative would help youth, women, farmers, and entrepreneurs gain awareness about departmental schemes, subsidies, and employment opportunities. He also called for an effective procurement strategy to ensure farmers receive fair prices for their produce while food processing industries have access to quality raw materials.
Highlighting government incentives, Maurya stated that the state is providing attractive subsidies for setting up food processing units, particularly to promote women’s entrepreneurship. He added that units installing solar power plants on their premises are eligible for subsidies of up to 90 percent, reducing production costs and supporting environmental sustainability.
Five Industrial Units Receive Letters of Comfort
The Deputy Chief Minister handed over Letters of Comfort to five industrial units under food processing promotion schemes:
- M/s A.K. Flour Mills, Barabanki received an approved subsidy of ₹3.77 crore for establishing a multigrain flour mill and value-added pasta and macaroni manufacturing unit.
- M/s Ashok Cattle & Poultry Feeds Limited, Varanasi received ₹2.38 crore for a cattle feed manufacturing unit.
- M/s Pattan Solvent, Kushinagar received ₹2.07 crore for a solvent extraction unit.
- M/s Raj Enterprises, Lakhimpur Kheri received ₹1.78 crore for a pasta and macaroni production facility.
- M/s Drishti Pures, Lucknow received ₹77 lakh for the expansion of its mustard oil processing unit.
Outstanding Food Processing Units Honoured
Several successful enterprises were felicitated for their performance and contribution to the sector:
- Dear Foods for its pasta and sauce manufacturing operations.
- Sona Gold Agrochem Pvt. Ltd. for feed production.
- Aviram Creameries Pvt. Ltd. for dairy-based product manufacturing.
- Sundari Food Industries for cereal, pulses, and oilseed processing.
Grant Cheques Distributed to Beneficiaries
Demo grant cheques were also distributed to beneficiaries under various schemes:
- M/s Paliwal Agro Products, Azamgarh – ₹2.50 crore for a multigrain flour mill unit.
- M/s Sharda Frozen Agro Processing Pvt. Ltd., Jalaun – ₹5 crore for a frozen fruit and vegetable processing unit.
- M/s Favina Products Pvt. Ltd., Kaushambi (Prayagraj) – ₹7.149 lakh for solar power plant installation.
- M/s V.S.A.G. Solution Pvt. Ltd., Jalaun – ₹4.57 crore for a frozen fruit and vegetable processing facility.
- M/s Tarai Frost Pvt. Ltd., Rampur – ₹4.98 crore for a frozen fruit and vegetable processing unit.
Maurya reiterated that the state government is continuously working to make the food processing sector a key driver of employment generation, investment, farmer income enhancement, and women’s empowerment. He stressed that ensuring the benefits of government schemes reach the last eligible beneficiary remains a top priority.
The programme was attended by senior officials from the Horticulture and Food Processing Department, including Additional Chief Secretary B.L. Meena, Special Secretary Rajkamal Yadav, Director of Horticulture B.P. Ram, departmental officers, entrepreneurs, beneficiaries, institute students, and representatives of food processing industries.
