Question : FOOD PROCESSING SECTOR

(a) the major factors identified by the Government which are hampering the growth of food processing sector;

(b) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to give impetus to this sector;

(c) whether the Government has recently inaugurated a world class institution in the food processing sector called the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM);

(d) if so, the details thereof including its aims and the objectives;

(e) whether the Government is planning to set up similar institutions in the country; and

(f) if so, the details of the proposals received from the States in this regard and the response of the Government there on , State-wise?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (DR. CHARAN DAS MAHANT)

(a): Fragmented supply chain and lack of adequate processing infrastructure are the main constraints which are hampering the growth of food processing sector.

(b): The Government have taken up a number of schemes including setting up of Mega Food Parks, Integrated Cold Chain, Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure, Setting up/Modernization of Abattoirs, Technology Up-gradation/Establishment /Modernization of food processing industries, Research & Development and Human Resource Development etc. to catalyze growth in the food processing sector. A National Mission on Food Processing has been launched as a new centrally sponsored scheme from 2012-13 to give further impetus to this sector though decentralization and better outreach.

(c): Yes, Madam.

(d): A statement is enclosed.

(e): There is no proposal under consideration to set up similar institution in the country.

(f): Does not arise.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN PART (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2904 FOR ANSWER ON 11th DECEMBER, 2012 REGARDING FOOD PROCESSING SECTOR.

Government has set up the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) at Kundli, Distt. Sonepat, Haryana. NIFTEM would work as sector promotion organisation of the food processing sector. Major objectives of NIFTEM are:-

# Working as a “One Stop Solution Provider” to all the problems of the sector.

# Conducting Frontier Area Research for development of the Sector.

# Providing intellectual backing for regulations which will govern food safety and quality and at the same time foster innovation.

# Functioning as a knowledge repository on various aspects of food processing such as product information, production and processing technology, market trends, safety and quality standards, management practices among others.

The Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of Higher Education declared NIFTEM a Deemed to be University under De Novo category on 08.05.2012. The Institute is offering courses in B.Tech(Food Technology & Management) and M.Tech. The first academic session started from 16-8-2012.