(a) whether the Government has any proposal to launch any new scheme for setting up of food processing units and to train farmers in this regard;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the time by which the said scheme is likely to be implemented?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
(SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)
(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. The Government has recently launched a new Scheme for Creation/Expansion of Food Processing & Preservation Capacities (CEFPPC) under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) for setting up/expansion of food processing industries in the country. Under the scheme, grants-in-aid @ 35% of the eligible project cost is provided in General Areas and 50% of the eligible project cost in North Eastern States including Sikkim and Difficult areas including Himalayan States (Himachal Pradesh, J&K & Uttarakhand), notified ITDP areas and Islands subject to a maximum of Rs.5.00 crore.
Under the Promotional Activities component of the Scheme for Human Resources and Institutions, grants-in-aid @50% subject to maximum of Rs.5.00 lakhs is provided to the Apex Industry Bodies, Central/State Governments, Autonomous Bodies and Public Sector Undertakings etc. to organize workshops / seminars for creating awareness amongst the potential investors / entrepreneurs including farmers on various aspects of food processing sector and also programmes /schemes of the Ministry to promote and develop food processing sector in the country.
(c): Ministry of Food Processing Industries has issued Expression of Interest (EOI) on 29.12.2017 inviting online proposals from potential investors/entrepreneurs willing to set up food processing units in the country. The last date of submission of online applications has been extended upto 15.09.2018. The willing entrepreneurs may submit their online proposals under the scheme for setting up/expansion of food processing units in the Mega Food Parks, Agro Processing Clusters and Designated Food Parks notified by the Ministry from time to time. With a view to implementing the Scheme upto the year 2019-20, 400 Food Processing Units have been targeted for setting up / expansion in the country. Ministry has approved 83 units so far.
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