(a) whether the Government propose to frame a new food
processing policy;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the extent to which it is likely to help the farmers for
producing raw material for food processing industry; and
(d) the time by which this policy is likely to be finalized?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES ( SHRI TH. CHAOBA SINGH )
(a) to (c): The Department of Food Processing Industries
organized four Regional Seminars at Calcutta, Mumbai, Bangalore
and Lucknow and a National Conference at New Delhi to elicit
inputs towards formulation of a National Food Processing
Policy. Accordingly, a Draft National Food Processing Policy
has been drawn up which broadly covers issues relating to
availability of raw material, backward linkages, processing
facilities including post-harvest infrastructure, packaging,
food quality and safety marketing of products domestic and
exports, awareness about processed foods and fiscal incentives.
(d): Taking into consideration the various procedures to be
followed, a definite time-frame for the finalisation of the
policy is difficult to envisage.