Sanjay Yadav : RJD MP said in the Rajya Sabha on Friday that the severe lack of food processing facilities in Bihar prevents farmers from receiving fair rates for their goods.

He brought up the subject during Question Hour, pointing out that the state’s lack of suitable processing facilities causes between 30% and 50% of Bihar’s papaya harvest and around 25% of its banana production to be wasted annually. He said that just 12 to 13 percent of the 65 lakh tons of milk produced in Bihar each year get processed. Furthermore, around 120 cold storage units are still not operational.

Yadav claims that food grain deterioration alone costs Bihar an estimated Rs 4,500 crore annually. He inquired as to if the relevant ministry plans to implement any unique policies to enhance Bihar’s food processing facilities and make it easier for new businesses to operate there.

Yadav asked the Center to step in for the greater good of farmers, emphasizing that Bihar is a state that depends heavily on agriculture and has enormous unrealized potential.

In response to the worries, Ravneet Singh, Minister of State in the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, said that the government is making every effort to unleash Bihar’s potential for food processing. He also said that Chirag Paswan, the Union Minister in charge of the relevant ministry and a native of Bihar, has started a number of projects to support the industry, such as the creation of a Makhana Board and other associated activities.