Question : FPI IN TRIBAL AREAS

(a) whether the Government is working on any scheme for setting up Food Processing Industries (FPI) in the tribal areas;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government proposes to launch any Programme for imparting technical training to the tribal people in the areas of food processing; and

(d) if so, the time by which it is likely to be launched?

THE MINISTER OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES(SHRI SUBODH KANT SAHAI)

(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 425 FOR ANSWER ON 09.12.2010 REGARDING FPI IN TRIBAL AREAS.

(a): The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MFPI) has been implementing various plan schemes for promotion and development of food processing sector in the country including tribal areas i.e.i) Scheme for Infrastructure Development with three major components i.e. Mega Food Park, Integrated Cold Chain and Modernization of Abattoirs, ii) Scheme of Technology Upgradation/ Establishment/ Modernization of FPI, iii) Scheme for Quality Assurance, Codex Standards and R&D, iv) Scheme for Human Resource Development, v) Scheme for Strengthening of Institution and
vi) Scheme for Upgradation of Quality of Street Food. The assistance under the scheme is available to all the implementing agencies including Central / State Government organizations / PSUs / NGOs / Cooperative societies and private sector units and individuals.

(b): MFPI extends financial assistance under the Scheme of Technology Upgradation/ Establishment/ Modernization of Food Processing Industries for setting up of new food processing units as well as Technological Upgradation and Expansion of existing units in the country in the form of grant-in-aid @ 25% of the cost of plant and machinery and technical civil works subject to a maximum of Rs. 50.00 lakh in general area or @33.33% subject to maximum of Rs. 75.00 lakh in difficult areas such as Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and North Eastern States, A&N Islands, Lakshadweep and ITDP areas.

(c): Government has no separate programme for imparting technical training to the tribal people in the food processing sector. However, Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MFPI) has a Human Resource Development Scheme which is being implemented in the country including tribal areas with following components:

The first component is Entrepreneurship Development Programme and objectives of the Entrepreneurship Development Programme are to provide basic knowledge of project formulation and management including technology, marketing, and profitability besides motivating the trainees and instilling confidence in them to start and manage a business venture. Eligible organisations are Central/State Govt organisations, National level institutes, Professional Institutes, State level consultancy organisation, Industry organisations, NGOs. The Ministry grants 100 % assistance of Rs. 2.00 lakh per EDP and grant is released in three installments of 50%, 25% and 25% respectively.

The second component is Food processing Training Centre (FPTC) and objectives of FPTC are development of rural entrepreneurship and transfer of technology for processing of food products by utilizing locally grown raw material and providing “Hands-on” experience at such production cum training centres, while according priority to SC/ST/OBC and women minorities candidates. Eligible organisations are Central or State Government Organizations, Educational & Training Institutions, Schools and Colleges, ITI s, NGOs and Co-operatives. Financial assistance of Rs. 4.00 lakhs for Fixed capital costs and Rs. 2.00 lakh as revolving seed capital Single Product Line Centre (for any one group of processing activities) and Rs. 11.00 lakhs for Fixed and Rs. 4.00 lakh as revolving seed capital for Multi Product Line Centre are provided (for more than one group of processing activities).

The third component is Training at recognized institutes such as CFTRI / DFRL / any other reputed State / National level Training institute / College of GOI / State Govt. with the objective to impart specialized training to new EDP trainees who are in advanced stage of setting up their own food processing units including higher levels of training after periodical intervals. The quantum of assistance will vary with the number of trainees and duration of training subject to a maximum of Rs. 1,00,000/- per training programme for 20 trainees for 10 working days.

(d): It is an ongoing scheme.