Question : Food Parks

(a) the number of Food Parks set up/ completed in the country at present in each State/UT;

(b) whether several proposals from various States for setting up of Food Parks are under consideration of the Government;

(c) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government thereon;

(d) whether the Government has reviewed/proposes to review the progress of vital projects like Mega Food Parks in the Food Processing Sector in the country and if so, the outcome thereof; and

(e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to improve the food processing sector?

THE MINISTER OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
(SMT. HARSIMRAT KAUR BADAL)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *35 FOR ANSWER ON 26TH APRIL, 2016 REGARDING FOOD PARKS.

(a): At present, there is no scheme being implemented by Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) for setting up of food parks in the country. However, Ministry has been implementing Mega Food Park Scheme (MFPS) since 11th Five Year Plan to create modern infrastructure for food processing. Total 42 Mega Food Parks (MFPs) have been sanctioned by the Government for setting-up in the country. Currently, 37 projects are at various stages of implementation. Out of these, 8 Mega Food Parks have become operational. Project-wise status of 37 approved Mega Food Parks is given at Annexure.
(b): At present, no new proposal from any State is under consideration of Ministry for setting up of Mega Food Park.
(c): Does not arise.
(d): The progress of each of the Mega Food Park projects is reviewed periodically by the Ministry. Regular interactions with Implementing Agencies and state governments are held to expedite implementation of the projects.
(e): Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has been implementing various Plan Schemes for the promotion and development of food processing sector in the country. Under these schemes, financial assistance in the form of grants-in-aid is provided to the entrepreneurs / State Governments agencies for implementation of the projects of Mega Food Parks, Cold Chain, Abattoirs, Research & Development, Quality Assurance and Skill Development.
A Special Fund of Rs. 2000 crore has been setup by the Government in NABARD to make available affordable credit to designated food parks and to the food processing units in such Parks. Loan for food and agro-processing up to an aggregate sanctioned limit of Rs. 100 crore per borrower and construction of storage facilities (warehouses, market yards, godowns and silos) including cold storage units/cold storage chains designed to store agriculture produce/products has been covered under Priority Sector Lending.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has been permitted in food processing upto 100% through automatic route. The Government has also given various fiscal incentives for setting up of food processing facilities.
100% FDI through Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) route has been announced in the Union Budget 2016-17 for marketing of food products produced and manufactured in India.

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