Processing Industries of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari on the Path to Investment Development
Shahrekord – Issuing new licenses, expanding existing units, and pursuing bank facilities are paths to increasing processing capacity for agricultural products and strengthening the production value chain in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari.
Ambassador Arjan-Provinces Group: The development of processing and food industries is considered one of the important strategies to increase the added value of agricultural products, reduce waste and create sustainable job opportunities in the areas that produce agricultural products. An issue that, considering the production capacities of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, can play an effective role in strengthening the agricultural economy of this province.
A significant part of the economic value of agricultural products depends on their storage, processing, packaging and supply, and the lack of proper infrastructure in this area can lead to a decrease in the quality of products, an increase in waste and limited sales opportunities. Therefore, the development of conversion industries units, in addition to supporting producers, provides the context for more effective exploitation of the capacities of the agricultural sector.
Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari with diverse agricultural capacities, including almond production in Saman city, has the ability to develop activities related to product processing and packaging. The expansion of these activities can create new job opportunities and provide the basis for the establishment of complementary economic activities in the fields of maintenance, transportation, packaging and marketing.
However, the realization of the goals of the development of transformation industries is not limited to the issuance of investment licenses, and the provision of financial resources, completion of infrastructure, access to raw materials, and the existence of a sales market are among the factors that affect the fate of economic plans. For this reason, supporting investors and following up on the removal of executive obstacles, along with facilitating the licensing process, is of particular importance.
In the first six months of 1405, measures have been taken in the field of issuing new licenses, developing and renovating existing units, pursuing banking facilities and organizing investments in the specialized town of Badam, Saman city; Measures whose main goal is to strengthen the value chain of agricultural products and increase processing capacity in the province.
Issuance of 37 licenses for the establishment of processing and food industries
Nizam Armand, Director of Processing and Food Industries of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Agricultural Jihad Organization, in a conversation with Mehr reporter, stated: During this period, 37 establishment permits have been issued in the field of processing and food industries of the province.
He added: The projected capacity for these projects is 130,61 tons, and if they are implemented, employment opportunities will be provided for 603 people.
The director of transformation and food industries of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Agricultural Jihad Organization announced the amount of investment expected for the implementation of these projects to be 24,585 billion rials and said: The development of transformation industries is aimed at increasing processing capacity, absorbing agricultural raw materials, reducing waste and creating added value in the agricultural sector.
Pointing to the importance of facilitating the investment process in this sector, Armand stated: the realization of the anticipated goals requires the follow-up of the implementation stages of the projects, the provision of financial resources, the provision of the necessary infrastructure and the cooperation of related institutions.
Operating two new units with an investment of 365 billion tomans
The Director of Food and Processing Industries of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Agricultural Jihad Organization, referring to the status of the units put into operation in the first half of this year, said: During this period, two operating licenses have been issued for the units of processing and food industries.
He added: The total capacity of these units is 4,811 tons, and 365 billion Tomans have been invested in their establishment and operation. Also, the activities of these units have provided direct employment for 25 people.
According to Armand, the entry of new units into the exploitation stage can help to increase the capacity of processing agricultural products, more effective use of domestic products and strengthen the relationship between the agricultural sector and related industries.
The exploitation of these units is important because it transfers the economic effects of investment from the stage of planning and licensing to the stage of production activity. The continuation of the activity of these units also depends on the supply of raw materials, management of production costs and access to sales markets.
Development and modernization of active units on the agenda
Pointing to the need to increase productivity in conversion industries units, Armand stated: Expanding the capacity of existing units and updating equipment and production lines is one of the requirements to improve the quality of products and reduce operational costs.
He added: In the first six months of 1405, two license extensions for the development of processing and food industries with a capacity of 4,990 tons have been issued.
According to him, the expected investment for the implementation of these projects is 335 billion tomans and will provide employment opportunities for 20 people.
The director of transformation and food industries of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Jihad Agricultural Organization also announced the issuance of a permit for the reconstruction and renovation of worn-out units and said: This action was carried out with the aim of reforming production lines, increasing efficiency, improving the quality of products and strengthening the competitiveness of active units.
Renovating equipment and modifying production processes can provide the context for optimal use of raw materials and production resources. This issue is more important in units that deal with perishable agricultural products; Because improving processing and storage facilities can help reduce quality loss and waste.
The progress of organizing investments in the specialized town of Badam Saman
Due to its almond production capacity, Saman city is one of the most suitable areas of the province for the development of activities related to processing, packaging and storage of this product.
The Director of Food and Processing Industries of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Agricultural Jihad organization, referring to the measures taken in Badam specialized town of this city, said: With the establishment of the city's eligibility assessment working group in 1405 and the introduction of new applicants by the management of Saman Agricultural Jihad, tracking the status of applicants and facilitating the process of issuing permits was put on the agenda.
He added: Out of a total of 117 applicants introduced by the management of agricultural jihad in Saman city, preliminary agreements have been issued for 48 cases, and so far 28 establishment permits have been registered for the applicants of this town.
Armand continued: Among the applicants with establishment license, 16 cases have succeeded in registering the contract with the industrial estates company.
He pointed out that the development of the almond specialized town can provide a suitable ground for the establishment of activities related to the processing, packaging, storage and supply of this product and lead to an increase in the added value of almonds and strengthening employment and investment opportunities in Saman city. Establishing a stable relationship between almond producers and processing industries can also play an effective role in providing raw materials and developing the product sales market.
Pursuing 336 billion Tomans facilities for priority projects
The provision of financial resources is one of the effective factors in the implementation of transformation and food industry projects, and it can accelerate the process of completing projects and their entry into the exploitation stage.
In this context, Armand stated: In the first six months of 1405, seven economic projects in need of facilities, which were prioritized for support, with a total amount of 336 billion Tomans, were introduced to the Vice President of Planning and Economic Affairs, so that the process of introducing them to the operating banks would be followed up.
He added: Providing the necessary facilities for these projects can help accelerate investment, complete production plans, increase the capacity of processing agricultural products and create new job opportunities. Pursuing the financing of priority projects is important because it reduces some of the obstacles faced by investors. However, the effectiveness of these supports depends on the actual provision of financial resources, the implementation progress of the plans and the resolution of possible problems in the way of setting up the units.
The director of transformation and food industries of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Agricultural Jihad Organization announced the introduction of 14 economic projects that require facilities in the field of contract farming during 1405 and said: these projects have been introduced to the vice president of planning and economic affairs to follow the necessary steps and introduce them to the operating banks.
Emphasizing the importance of the relationship between producers of agricultural products and processing industries, he added: the development of this relationship can help in the sustainable supply of raw materials, better planning for production and creating an effective link between the agricultural sector and the consumer market, contract cultivation, if there is coordination between the needs of processing units, the production capacity of farmers and market conditions, can provide the ground for targeted supply of raw materials. Determining product specifications, required quantity, delivery time and purchase conditions are among the factors that are important in setting up effective contracts, the development of this cooperation method can also provide the possibility of more detailed planning for production and processing; An issue that will benefit producers and industrial units if transparent and balanced contracts are implemented.
Introduction of rural investment capacities in almond field
Armand further announced the introduction of projects related to the specialized town of Badam in Saman city in the form of a program to identify the capacities and opportunities of rural investment to the deputy of economic affairs and investment of the governorate.
He stated: Identifying the economic capacities of rural areas and introducing suitable investment opportunities can help direct financial resources to productive activities and create employment in different regions of the province.
The director of transformation and food industries of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Agricultural Jihad Organization added: Considering the agricultural capacities of the province, especially in the field of almond production, the development of processing and complementary industries can provide the basis for attracting private sector investment and making more use of the production capacity of rural areas, introducing investment opportunities to related institutions, providing the possibility of examining the economic capacities of the regions and identifying the required support. However, choosing economically justified plans and providing suitable conditions for their activity will be decisive factors in the success of these programs.
Financing and sales market are two key factors of development
Ali Sharifi, an expert in the field of transformation industries and agricultural economics, in a conversation with Mehr reporter, referring to the capacities of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari in the field of development of processing industries, stated: Issuing new licenses can provide the basis for increasing the industrial capacity of the agricultural sector, but the realization of the economic effects of these plans depends on the level of implementation progress and their entry into the exploitation phase.
He added: Transformation industries can play an effective role in the agricultural economy when there is a clear relationship between the amount of production of products, the capacity of processing units and the needs of the market. If the capacity of an industrial unit does not fit with the amount of raw materials available, there will be a possibility of increasing costs and reducing productivity.