TAMIKA (Karnataka), September 26- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday asked soft drink makers like Pepsi to mix aerated drinks with five percent fruit juice to help farmers find a new market for their produce, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.
“We drink Pepsi, Coca-Cola and I do not know how many similar beverages are available in the market. I have asked the companies if they can blend five percent natural fruit juice in the beverages they make,” Modi said after inaugurating the country’s first integrated food park here.
“If five percent of juice from fruits produced by our farmers is added, the farmer will not be forced to search for a market to sell. A single decision can ensure billions of rupees of trade,” he said.
Modi said he had asked the Central government’s research bodies to work on the possibility of blending cola drinks, which are widely considered unhealthy, with natural fruit juice.By doing so, farmers will not be forced to dump their produce and let it go to waste because of unremunerative prices and the country can save by reducing wastage of food products through processing.
A report by Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations released last December showed consumption of non-alcoholic beverages is expected to increase by 16.5 to 19 percent over the next three years in the country.
The report says corporate manufacturers of non-alcoholic beverages are expected to grow at an annual rate of 16.5 percent and non-corporate manufacturers 19 percent.The estimates are based on an assumed gross domestic product growth of seven percent, which is much higher than the five percent growth several economists have forecast.
The country’s beverage market is largely unorganised, with nearly 75 percent of the demand being met by companies in the unorganised sector.In his 20-minute speech, Modi stressed the importance of proper storage, processing and value additions which will be carried out at the food park.Modi also underscored the need for adopting more scientific methods of farming.
– BERNAMA
