(a) whether the Government is taking any special steps for the safe storage of the fruits, vegetables and other food products which gets spoiled due to non-availability of cold-storages in the country;
(b) whether the Government proposes any action plan for the said storage in Bihar; and
(c) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
(SHRI RAMESWAR TELI)
(a): Yes, Sir. Ministry of Food Processing Industries is implementing the Central Sector Scheme of Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure and the Scheme of Mega Food Park.
Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW) is implementing Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) for development of Horticulture in the country. Under this Mission, assistance for development of Post-Harvest Management components including establishment of cold storages is provided.
(b): The schemes are primarily private sector driven and proposals under these schemes are invited through Expression of Interest (EOI). There is no state specific allocation of projects under the Scheme of Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure.
(c): Under the Scheme for Integrated Cold Chain & Value Addition Infrastructure, out of three cold chain projects being implemented in the State of Bihar, one has started commercial operations with capacity creation of Milk Storage/ Processing of 1.30Lakh Litre Per Day.
Under the Mega Food Park Scheme of the Ministry, capacity of 1.91Lakh MT has been created from 1 cold storage established in the State of Bihar.
Under MIDH Scheme of DAC&FW, capacity of 14.38 Lakh MT has been created from 309 cold storages set up in the State of Bihar for storing perishable horticulture produce.
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