A Vision Document 2015 on Food Processing Industries has been finalized for giving boost to growth of food processing Sector. It envisages trebling the size of the processed food sector by increasing the level of processing of perishables from 6 % to 20 %, value addition from 20 % to 35% and share in global food trade from 1.5 % to 3 %. Under the Vision 2015, the thrust areas identified for strategic intervention are – establishing Mega Food Parks, Modernization of Abattoirs, Cold Chain/Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure, Upgrading safety and quality of Street Food and Establishment/Upgradation of Quality Control Laboratories. Government has identified strategies along with a detailed action plan in this regard to realize the Vision.
A GOM under the Chairmanship of Minister for Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Sharad Pawar has been set up to consider an Integrated Strategy for Promotion of Agri-Business – Vision, Strategy and Action Plan for Food Processing Sector. The GOM held several meetings.
Food SafetyThe Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 has been notified on 24th August, 2006. The provisions of the Act shall come into force from such date as the Central Government may notify in the official Gazette. The main objective of the Bill is to bring about a single statute relating to food and establish Food Safety and Standards Authority with a view to: (a) lay down food Standards, (b) effectively regulate manufacture, import, storage, distribution and sale of food to ensure consumer safety and promote global trade, ( c)pool infrastructure, manpower, testing facilities and (d) rationalize and strengthen existing enforcement mechanism.
NIFTEMIt has been decided to set up National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship & Management (NIFTEM) at Kundli, Haryana as an International Centre of excellence which will work synergistically with the industry and similar institutions within India and outside. The Institute would have 15 theme centres on food technology, management, international trade, food safety, etc. CCEA at its meeting on 31.8.2006, has approved setting up of NIFTEM at an estimated cost of Rs. 244.60 crores including an FE component of US$8.1 million as a Section 25 Company under the Companies Act 1956. The institute will start limited activities from the current year from hired premises.
Research CentrePaddy Processing Research Centre (PPRC), Thanjavur is an autonomous organization under the MFPI and has been in existence for the last three decades. As other commodities such as millets, pulses and oil seeds are gaining importance it was decided in 2001 to expand the mandate of this Institute to include the above commodities also.
The proposed revised mandate of the upgraded Centre will include conducting basic, applied and adoptive research, education and training in the area of post harvest processing of crops of wetlands and storm prone regions. Besides, the institute will act as a National Organization for information on post production systems of mandated crops, undertake transfer of technology, consultancy and analytical services for raw and processed agricultural commodities, establish linkages with related processing industries and other academic as well as R & D institutions for achieving its goals effectively.
Street FoodStreet Food is an integral part of any society and India is no exception. Street food is an inexpensive and convenient food for a large number of people. It is also in turn a large source of employment generation, major beneficiaries being women. Street food is a treasure house of local culinary traditions and is increasingly playing an important role as an enhancer and force multiplier of tourism sector all over the world.
Street food sector in India is currently completely unregulated. This has often been a concern for public health authorities. There are periodic attempts by local authorities to do away with street food vending. There is a need to regulate street food vending in India and to bring it within the organized sector.
MFPI has therefore decided to take the initiative in this direction along with industry associations, NGOs, municipal bodies and ministries of Urban Development, Poverty Alleviation, Panchayat Raj Institutions and Tourism with a view to improve the safety of food in the streets. The effort will be to ensure safety and facilitate value addition, which would lead to increase in income level of food vendors. 6 Pilot projects are proposed to be taken up in Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Agra, Mumbai & Guwahati.
Consumption of Processed FoodIn order to give boost to growth of Food Processing Industries at State level, Task Force have been set up in various States. It will, suggest measures for identification, development and propagation of processable varieties of agricultural commodities and assess current level of availability of raw material for the processing industry. Other talks will be to identify key reasons for underdevelopment of the processing sector, evaluate current state of infrastructure for entrepreneurs, evolve strategies for campaigns/marketing to promote consumption of processed foods, suggest measures for food safety, standards, testing facilities, establish linkage of technology institutes/research organizations with industry, assess status of various food processing industries.
Fairs/ExhibitionsThe Ministry of Food Processing Industries participated in various domestic and international fairs for the promotion of processed food products both in India and abroad. In addition, Ministry participated in National level exhibitions held at Kolkata, Dimapur, Nagaland, New Delhi and Mumbai.
Assistance is provided for Government and Non-government organizations in the country for conducting Entrepreneurship Development Programmes of four weeks duration. This programme provides training to enable potential entrepreneurs to set up Food Processing Industries. During 2006-07, so far the Ministry has sanctioned 93 EDPs and released a grant of Rs. 81.73 lakhs. It is expected to provide training to around 1900 prospective entrepreneurs.
In line with the priorities laid down in the National Common Minimum Programme the Government has set up the National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council. This is an interdisciplinary and autonomous body at the highest level to serve as a policy forum for credible and coherent policy initiatives in manufacturing sector.
The Food Processing sector has been identified as one of the sectors having immediate potential for growth and employment in the years to come.
SV/AB/RTS/VNSS-46/SF-46/31.01.2007