Question : WASTAGE OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE

(a) whether the Government has taken note that wastage of agricultural produce including fruits and vegetables has adversely affected the economy;

(b) if so, the details of wastage of various agricultural produce during each of the last three years;

(c) whether the Government proposes to set up cold chains and processing facilities and to promote ripening chambers to reduce the wastages in the country and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government also proposes to allow participation of private sector to overcome the shortage of cold storages; and

(e) if so, the details along with the other assistance provided by the Government to various States in this regard, State/UT-wise?

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)

(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. 282 DUE FOR REPLY ON 11TH FEBRUARY, 2014.

(a) & (b): In a study published in 2012 by Central Institute of Post Harvest Engineering & Technology (CIPHET), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the economic value of loss of crops and livestock produce for the production year 2007 – 08 was estimated at Rs. 44,000 crore.

As per this report, post-harvest losses were in the range of 3.9% to 6% (cereals), 4.3% to 6.1% (pulses), 2.8% to 10.1% (oil seeds), 5.8% to 18% (fruits) and 6.8% to 12.5% (vegetables).

(c) to (e): Government is implementing various credit linked assistance programmes to encourage private investment for creation of post-harvest infrastructure including establishment of cold storages, processing units, pack houses, pre-cooling units, controlled/ modified atmosphere [CA/MA] infrastructure, reefer vans and ripening chambers. Credit linked back ended subsidy at 40% of the project cost in general areas and at 55% in hilly and scheduled areas is available to entrepreneurs, cooperatives, Farmers Producer Organisation (FPOs) and companies under various schemes including National Horticulture Mission (NHM), Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH), National Horticulture Board (NHB) and National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC).

Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MFPI) is implementing a scheme to provide integrated cold chain and processing facilities from farm gate to consumers. Assistance is available for 50% of total cost of plant & machinery and technical civil works in general areas and 75% in difficult areas subject to maximum of Rs. 10.00 crore/project.

Further, Ministry of Commerce through Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) provides assistance at 25% for cost of cold chain equipment subject to a ceiling of Rs. 10.00 lakh per beneficiary for the units related to export activity.

State wise details of assistance provided for establishment of cold storages under various schemes during the current year are Annexed.