THE MINISTER OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)
(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION
NO. 200 FOR 27th MARCH, 2012 REGARDING PROCESSING OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
(a): The data on level of processing of fruits and vegetables in the State/UT
is not centrally maintained by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
(b): In order to assist entrepreneurs and domestic agro-processing industries,
the Scheme for Technology Upgradation/ Establishment/ Modernisation of Food
Processing Industries specifically aims at creation of new processing capacity
and up-gradation of existing processing capabilities in sectors like Milk, Fruit &
Vegetables, Meat, Poultry, fishery, wine, consumer items, oil seeds, rice milling,
flour milling, pulse. Under the scheme, the Ministry extends financial assistance
in the form of grant-in-aid to entrepreneurs @ 25% of the cost of Plant & machinery
and Technical Civil Works subject to a maximum of Rs. 50 lakhs in general areas
& @33.33% subject to a maximum of Rs. 75 lakhs in North Eastern and difficult areas.
(c): To encourage setting up of cold chain facilities in the country, Ministry
of Food Processing Industries (MFPI) has a Plan Scheme for Cold Chain, Value Addition
and Preservation Infrastructure during the 11th Plan to provide financial assistance
to project proposals received from public/private organizations for cold chain
infrastructure development. The scheme envisages financial assistance in the form
of grant-in-aid @ 50% of the total cost of plant and machinery and technical civil
works in general areas and 75% for North Eastern Region and difficult areas subject
to a maximum of Rs.10.00 crore. The initiatives are aimed at filling the gaps in the
supply chain, strengthening of cold chain infrastructure, encouraging value addition
with infrastructural facilities like sorting, grading, packaging and processing of
horticulture produce including organic produce, marine, dairy, poultry, etc. Other
agencies of the Government like National Horticulture Board (NHB), Agricultural and
Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), National Cooperative
Development Corporation (NCDC) and State Government also provide financial assistance
for cold storages under their respective schemes.
Similarly, the Scheme for Quality Assurance, Codex Standards, R&D and Promotional
Activities, is aimed at motivating the food processing industries for adopting food
safety and quality assurance mechanisms such as TQM including ISO 14000, ISO 22000,
HACCP, GMP, GHP , and preparing them to face global competition in post WTO Regime.
The scheme is also aimed at ensuring that end product / outcome / findings of R&D work
should benefit Food Processing Industries in terms of product and process development,
improved packaging, value addition and leading to innovative products and processes,
with commercial value. Another scheme is for setting up / up-gradation of food testing
laboratories which would benefit all stakeholders.
(d): Yes, Madam.
(e): Ministry of Food Processing Industries has entered into agreements with some
developed countries viz. Germany & France for bilateral co-operation in the field of
food processing which generally include processed food segments including fruits &
vegetables. Besides, the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation has entered into
number of umbrella agreements with some developed countries like USA, France, Canada,
Netherlands, Argentina, Austria, Brazil for bilateral co-operation in the areas of
agriculture and allied sectors which generally include agro and food processing,
cold chain etc. Apart from this, MoUs have been entered into by two institutions
under the Ministry, namely National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship
& Management (NIFTEM) & Indian Institute of Crop Processing Technology (IICPT).
These MoUs relate to collaboration in teaching and research in the food processing sector.
