Patna, Dec. 2: Union minister of state for agriculture and food processing industry Tariq Anwar today said the Centre’s decision to introduce foreign direct investment in retail would help the agro-based Bihar economy.

“Bihar has an agro-based economy and 70 to 75 per cent of its people are directly associated with farming. Foreign direct investment in agriculture and food processing industries is extremely necessary. FDI in no way aims at taking away employment from the local population,” he said while addessing a Bihar Industry Association meeting.