Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the establishment of farmers training and common facility centers across Kalyana Karnataka. These centers, funded through the MPLADS scheme, aim to enhance agro-processing capabilities in seven districts. This initiative marks a significant step toward supporting local agricultural communities.
Sitharaman will personally inaugurate these facilities in four key districts. Her visit includes Vijayanagara, Bellary, Koppal, and Raichur to oversee the newly operational centers. This hands-on approach underscores the government’s commitment to rural development.
She shared her travel plans on social media, expressing enthusiasm for the project. The minister looks forward to engaging with farmers and witnessing the production processes firsthand. Her involvement highlights the importance of these agro-processing centers.
Each district specializes in unique agro-processing activities. Vijayanagara focuses on peanut and tamarind products, processing 200 kgph of peanuts and 100 kgph of tamarind. These include peanut butter, roasted peanuts, and tamarind pulp.
Ballari’s center produces chilli flakes and powder. With a capacity of 250 kgph, it supports local chilli farmers. This adds value to their harvests.
Koppal handles fruit processing at 500 kgph. It creates fruit pulp, juices, and amchur powder. This diversification helps farmers maximize their produce.
Raichur’s facility processes dal at 350 kgph. It produces chila premix and mills channa and tuar dal. This supports pulse farmers in the region.
Yadgir specializes in peanut products and groundnut oil. Its 300 kgph capacity benefits local groundnut cultivators. This enhances income opportunities.
Kalaburagi focuses on millet-based items. Processing 500 kgph, it makes millet flakes, pops, flour, and whole millets. This promotes nutritious food production.
Bidar produces soybean tofu and flavored soy milk. With a 300 kgph capacity, it leverages soybean crops. This introduces innovative food options.
Sitharaman emphasized meeting farmers and producer organizations. She aims to understand their experiences with these agro-processing centers. This interaction will help assess the project’s impact.
The centers are expected to create sustainable livelihoods. By adding value to raw agricultural products, they increase farmers’ earnings. This model promotes economic resilience.
Earlier, Tripura’s Chief Minister met Sitharaman in Delhi. They discussed increasing limits for Externally Aided Projects. This highlights her broader financial responsibilities.
Urban and tourism projects in Tripura face delays due to funding ceilings. The meeting addressed these challenges to unlock development potential. Sitharaman’s role spans multiple regions.
The agro-processing centers in Kalyana Karnataka represent a targeted investment. They align with national goals of agricultural modernization and rural prosperity. Farmers stand to gain significantly from these initiatives.