The minister who was here in connection with the international event on agro-food sector "agro-advantage: Maharashtra" to be held at Mumbai from November 6 told reporters that people investing would have projects ready on the shelf.

Approximatly 60 prospects will be made ready which will bring in investment in the agro sector. He however made it clear that there would be no relaxtion of land ceiling by the government of Maharashtra and the interests of the farmers would be protected.

He said the state hoped to start a separate agro-industrial estate shortly. Besides an air-cargo terminal in Pune dedicated extensively for export for horticulture and floriculture and having a capacity to handle 10 to 15 tonnes will be coming up shortly. The facilities in Mumbai air terminal also had beenincreased, he said.

He said the state government would offer different types of incentive to promote agro industries in the state.

Patil said the "Agro-advantage: Maharashtra, will consist of a "global investors convention and an international exposition "Agro Food Tech-98 to be held from November 6 - 9.

He said the Agro Food Tech-98 would be the largest show window for all those associated with agriculture, food and food processing sectors, and would be held at the expo grounds, at NSE exhibition complex at Goregaon.

He said the state government also proposed to organise a farmers rally on November 8 on the Shivaji Park grounds.

The global investors convention will focus on opportunities in the agro-food sector, and present a number of projects with high investment potential. They will cover fields such as agro-inputs, post-harvest infrastructure, agro and food processing, bio technology and floricutlure, dairy, fisheries, meat products etc.

Considering the importance of the event, the ministerappealed to the investors and companies from India and abroad to participate and cash in on the fast growing opportunities in the state.