State overture gives shot in the arm for HLL Food Revolution dreams

Sanjay Jog

Mumbai, Aug 3: In a bid to strengthen its industry friendly image, the Maharashtra government has offered an alliance of sorts with the fast moving consumer goods major Hindustan Lever Ltd (HLL) for fulfiling its vision about the Food Revolution in the state.

Maharshtra industry secretary Vishwas Dhumal in a communication to the HLL chairman MS Banga said that the government would identify the specific steps, the amendments to the laws and rules for moving fast on the path of rural prosperity as desired by the HLL. He informed that the state has a committee of secretaries comprising industries, agriculture and cooperation and the government would have to take number of steps in order to facilitate HLL’s idea translating into a reality.

Mr Dhumal, who has yet to receive a response from Mr Banga, said that in the recessionary condition that India is passing through, there is a need to identify a growth path which will help boost rural incomes and consumption. This will in turn create a demand for industrial goods thus helping us to emerge successfully out of this recessionary situation.

“Your vision about the Food Revolution will result in a win-win situation for both the farmers and consumers. You have identified the road map which will lead us in this direction which consists of precision farming and setting up of farmer service centres in the private sector to form the web required for opeationalising this model,” Mr Dhumal said.

According to Mr Dhumal, the state’s industrial policy has emphasised the role that agricultural processing will play and it has also identified some crops such as grapes, oranges and floriculture for developing in a comprehensive manner to cover all stages from production, processing and marketing.

He added that the government stands committed to provide
specialised infrastructure to meet the specific requirements of investor.

“I would like to assure you that the state government will be willing to be a partner of HLL and work together to see that this model comes into being successfully. We can pool our collective strengths and wisdom to put the recession behind us and usher a new ear of public-private partnership for creating a prosperous Maharashtra,” he added.