Government today said that it has asked Food Corporation of India to fast track the creation of additional 15 million tonnes storage capacity in the 12th Five Year Plan period.

Talking to reporters in New Delhi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Harish Rawat said that the additional food grain storage capacity will be increased in 19 states through Public Private Partnership. He added government is spending five hundred and seventy crore rupees for construction of warehouses in North-Eastern region.

Mr. Rawat said that the government plans to launch a national project for the food processing industries during the 12th Five-Year Plan period to boost their share in the agri-business sector. He said that the government is contemplating to increase the share of food processing in agri-business sector from the current 11 per cent to 25 per cent.