(a) whether the Government has any action plan/scheme which augments
the income of farmers through value addition to their produce;
(b) If so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has imparted training to small farmers in processing
their produce under the said action plan/scheme; and
(d) If so, the number of farmers trained under the said plan during the each of
the last three years and the current year, State-wise?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (DR. CHARAN DAS MAHANT)
(a) Yes, Madam. Ministry of Food Processing Industries under the sub component of
Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) of Human Resource Development Scheme
trains the farmers and prospective entrepreneurs /unemployed youths in an intensive
manner so as to sensitise them to the idea of value addition, food processing and
encourage them to establish food processing industries with a view to reduce the
wastage of agricultural produce and value addition for increasing the income of farmers.
(b) & (c) During the 11th plan, EDPs (Entrepreneurship Development Programmes) as at Annexure-I
have been sanctioned and implemented through various Central/State Govt. Institutions, Industry
Organizations/ Associations and reputed Non-Government Organizations for organizing EDPs
throughout the length and breadth of the country.
With the launch of National Mission on Food Processing (NMFP), a centrally sponsored
scheme during 12th plan (2012-13), all the sub components of Human Resource Development
Scheme (Assistance to Food Technology Degree/Diploma courses, Food Processing Training
Centre (FPTC) & (EDP) have been subsumed in the mission during 2012-13, which is implemented
by States/UT Governments.
(d) A total 749 EDPs have been conducted across the country during the last three years and
current year ( till January, 2013). The financial assistance @ Rs. 2.00 lakhs as grant-in-aid
for conducting one EDP is provided by the Ministry. As per the guidelines of the HRD scheme,
each EDP is organized for 25-35 participants. State-wise details of the EDPs conducted during
the last three years and the current year is at Annexure -I