Vikhe-Patil said that there has been demand from various quarters in this regard, however, the state government has yet to take a final decision in view of "the importance of food security." The government will also examine whether such usages will have an adverse impact on foodgrain consumption.

Vikhe-Patil said that Maharashtra Agro Industries Development Corporation (MAIDC) which has been appointed as a nodal agency for the promotion of agro sector will set up a separate consultant cell in January next year. He announced that MAIDC will invite global tenders for the appointment of consultant on the proposed cell which will advise on the promotion of agro industries inthe state. "The consultant will be thoroughly professional who will guide the MAIDC and farmers on the upgradation of technologies," he added.

Vikhe-Patil who was the chairman of task force set up by the state government for the Agro Advantage Maharashtra said that a single window will be also be set up at the MAIDC for the benefit of the investors and farmers in general. He said that an officer of the rank of joint managing director will be appointed to supervise the functioning of single window cell.

Vikhe-Patil also announced that a separate Agro Industries Infrastructure Development Corporation will be set up soon. The proposed corporation will be an autonomous body and coordinate with MAIDC for clearing infrastructural bottlenecks.

He said that the government has taken various "revolutionary" decision to boost the agro sector. These decisions include lease of surplus land by government seed farm agricultural universities and government undertakings to investors for 30 years, agricultural producemarket committees to go for joint ventures with private or cooperative body for storage, handling and processing and 25 per cent subsidy to the public, cooperative or private sector for the establishment of pre-cooling units and cold storage facilities.

He said that investors have assured investments of Rs 1,000 crore during the four-day convention, Agro Advantage, Maharashtra. The investment was expected in tissue culture, integrated poultry collection, spirulina, milk and dairy processing, food and vegetable processing, aqua-culture field, cut flowers and co-generation.

Vikhe-Patil said that an Indian private sector company has already approached the state government for the setting up of cold chain in Nashik, Pune and Jalna districts. Middle East group of companies have indicated genuine investment interests exceeding Rs 200 crore. The areas of interests are tissue culture, spirulina, alcohol-based industries, shrimp farming, molasses, dairy development and co-generation.

He informed that a Pravaracooperative sugar factory formed by his grandfather Padmashree Vitthalrao Vikhe-Patil will set up a 35 mw co-generation project in collaboration with US-based Nucon Corporation. He added that the construction work will begin within next two months.