Question : ANNUAL TURNOVER IN FOOD PROCESSING SECTOR



(a) whether the Government has made any assessment with regard to the total annual turnover in the food processing sector vis-a-vis its consumption domestically and the quantity imported to other countries;

(b) if so, the details thereof during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise;

(c) whether the Government provides any assistance to encourage diversification of agriculture and setting up of new food processing units for value addition to perishable/non-perishable agro-products like grapes etc. to the farmers/entrepreneurs;

(d) if so, the details thereof during the said period; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government to make farmer communities economically empowered and to promote infrastructural development for bringing food processing facilities near them?

Answer given by the minister


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

(a) & (b) Annual Output and Import of food and related products for which information currently available are as under:

Year	Output (Rs. Crore)	Import (US$ million)

2009-10 6,02,467 10,905

2010-11 7,55,596 10,989

2011-12 9,48,751 14,859
Source: National Annual Statistics 2013 & DGCIS Kolkata

(c) to (e) Government has been promoting crop diversification through a series of measures like promotion of Horticulture and enhancing production of oil seeds, pulses, oil palm, maize etc.For setting up of food processing units including perishable/ non-perishable agro products, financial incentives in the form of grant-in-aid is provided directly to the entrepreneurs under the scheme of Technology up-gradation/ establishment/ modernization of food processing industries @ 25% of the total cost of Plant & Machinery and Technical Civil Works subject to a maximum of Rs. 50 lakh in general areas and @ 33.33 % in North- East Region and difficult areas subject to a maximum of Rs. 75 lakh per project. Apart from this, Government has been extending financial assistance for creation of integrated cold chain, preservation of infrastructure, Mega Food Park which indirectly supports entrepreneurs in the food processing sector. Diversification of Agriculture & promotion of food processing industries are expected to stabilize and improve the income of farmers.