Having very diverse agro-climatic conditions, progressive farmers, and a strong co-operative movement, agriculture contributes 22 per cent to Maharashtra's annual income. It has over a lakh tonne food processing capacity, most of them in medium and large sectors, with over Rs 140-crore investment.

The state government in its plan to augment investment in the agro-food secctor has liberalised policies and offers sales tax incnentives in backaward areas and zones, higher level of incentives to pioneering units and liberal sales tax concessions for 100 per cent export-oriented units.

A fresh package covering tax sops, land use, power supply and infrastructure facility will be ready by August-end, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Maharashtra minister for agriculture, told newsmen hereon Friday. He hopes to have over Rs 5,000-crore fresh investments in the agro sector during the next five years.

In order to attract national and international attention to the opportunities in Maharashtra, the state government is organising a Global Investors Convention and International Exposition, Agro Food Tech'98, in Mumbai from November 6 to 9 under the banner of "Agro Advantage Maharashtra", he said.

The convention will focus on investment opportunities and on projects with high growth potential, especially sectors like agro inputs, post harvest infrastructure, agro-processing, food processing, floriculture, biotechnology, dairy, poultry and fisheries, meat and meat products and agro industries.

"There will be a special focus on exportable agro-based products and processed food industry and packaging", Patil said.

The Agro Food Tech'98 is to highlight developments and growth opportunities in agro-food sector. It will have a very comprehensive exhibit profile ranging from farm implements,seeds, agro chemicals, pesticides, floriculture, animal husbandry, aquaculture, refrigeration and cold storage, food additives to effluent treatment and irrigation systems.

Participants from all over the world have been invited to exhibit their achievements and contributions in the field. The minister said already 26 countries have confirmed participation. The event will also play host to a complete range of technological innovations, agro products and services and equipment in the food sector. Workshops, investors' meetings and farmers' rally will coincide with the exhibition.

Over one million hectares are under horticulture in Maharashtra and this will be increased to 5 million by the end of the 9th plan. The four agriculture universities in the state will be allowed to take up waste land development either independently or in collaboration with the corporate sector, the minister said and added that the state had no plan to corporatise the agriculture sector. The minister said Maharashtra is India'slargest producer of a number of agro-products like Alphonso mango, seedless grapes, Nagpur mandarins, Cavendis bananas, pomegranates, red onions and also the leader in sugar, cotton, oilseeds, cashew and alcohol.

The exhibition will be put up by Chemtech Foundation and managed by Exicom. The global investors convention will be organised with the support of the Confederation of Indian Industry and APEDA.

ISC Koln Messe, Germany, will be the international associates for the exposition. GIC group of the US will assist the convention.