These announcements were made by state agriculture and water conservation minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil here at a meeting of investors, farmers and manufacturers. He called upon the participants to participate at a three-day international convention "Agro-advantage Maharashtra" commencing on November 6 in Mumbai. In all, 50 projects from agriculture, horticulture, food processing and dairy development worth Rs 5,000 crore will be offered to investors at this meet.

Vikhe-Patil said that the Land Ceiling Actwas seen as a major hurdle by the investors to fund agri-business. However, he said that the private sector will be allowed to enter into contract farming which was possible on the lands owned by the Maharashtra State Farming Corporation.

Vikhe-Patil said there have been complaints about the quality of produce exported to Europe and other markets and added that the proposed regulatory body will address this issue. The regulatory body will certify the products with necessary quality to boost exports from the state.

He said that a high-level committee comprising experts from agri-business will be set up soon to guide the state government in the formulation of a comprehensive policy on exports of agricultural and horticultural produce. The committee will also help the government in the removal of impediments faced by exporters.

State public works minister and Nagpur district guardian minister Nitin Gadkari said that the Rs 5,000-crore international hub/cargo centre will be developed at Nagpur with privatesector participation. City and Industrial Development Corporation has been appointed as a nodal agency while RITES and Airports Authority of India will work as consultants. The Container Corporation of India has already assured participation in the project.

Gadkari said that the proposed project will help boost exports, especially from the Vidarbha region which is known for its record orange and cotton production.

He said that National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development had already sanctioned Rs 300 crore for the construction of all weather road in rural areas. Work orders for projects worth Rs 26 crore have already been given in Nagpur district, he stated and added that the all weather road will help smooth transportation of exportable goods by farmers and investors.

Former minister Babasaheb Kedar said that though private sector investment was welcomed in the agriculture and cooperative sector, the government should evolve a policy for the revival and rehabilitation of closed cooperativesugar and spinning mills in Vidarbha and elsewhere.

Pravin Lunkad, executive director of Nav Maharashtra Chakan Oil Mills, appealed to the state to provide lands for the development of high-tech agricultural parks. He also demanded that the government should give sufficient subsidy to the farmers who want to visit international markets to take stock of the situation there.