Centre has agreed to consider proposal to set up food tech institute in Belagavi, says MP

BJP MP Jagadish Shettar in a meeting with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on Friday, seeking financial approval for a National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management for Belagavi.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The Union government has agreed to consider a proposal to set up a national-level food technology institute in Belagavi, BJP MP Jagadish Shettar said on Friday.

He said that he had earlier urged Union Minister for Food Processing Chirag Paswan to set up the newly-planned National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) in Belagavi. During a follow-up, Food Processing Ministry officials told him that they are preparing a draft proposal for the purpose.

On Friday, Mr. Shettar met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman urging her to release funds for the institute, if it were to be set up in his constituency.

“I spoke to the Finance Minister in detail about the potential benefits of such a centre in Belagavi, which lies at the intersection of three States. It will not only help farmers, but also traders, consumers and the people of Belagavi and neighbouring States,” Mr. Shettar said.

“Ms. Sitharaman has responded positively. She assured me of her support for the initiative. She said that she will study the proposal and consider it for approval. I am confident that it will be approved,” Mr. Shettar said in a release.

The country has two NIFTEMs, one in Sonepat and the other in Thanjavur. They are considered institutes of national importance as they are engaged in research, extension, training and education. They train undergraduate and postgraduate students and research scholars.

These institutes offer courses not only in processing of various farm produce but also provide information about setting up industries based on such products and how to market them. The Union government has proposed that a third such institution will be set up in the country and Mr. Shettar has appealed to the Centre to choose Belagavi for the new NIFTEM.