New Delhi, Nov. 4 -- To strengthen the farm-to-industry link and enhance farmers' incomes, the Uttar Pradesh government is set to ensure that food processing units procure raw materials straight from Farmer-Producer Organisations (FPOs), with preference for local groups.

These units will also be linked to the Government of India's Cluster Development Programme to streamline the supply chain and enhance price realisation for farmers. The decision was finalised during a meeting of the Food Processing Industry Appraisal Committee.

The growing food processing industry is driving higher demand for farmers' produce. To help farmers benefit directly from this trend, the government is encouraging them to participate more actively in the sector,...