(a) whether the Government propose to make massive investment in
the Food Processing Industry Sector;
(b) if so, the details of the proposal mooted in that regard for
2001-2002;
(c) the time by which the investment is proposed to be made; and
(d) the areas of investment identified for the purpose?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES ( PROF. CHAMAN LAL GUPTA )
(a) to (d): Ministry of Food Processing Industries under its
Plan Schemes extends financial assistance to Non-Governmental
Organizations, Cooperatives, Private industry, Public Sector
Undertakings, Human Resource Development & Research & Development
institutions etc for development of the processed food sector.
The Ministry does not set up any unit on its own.
It has, however, been estimated that, to improve processing
levels, an investment of Rs. 1,40,000 crores in the entire food
chain over a period of 10 years, will be necessary. This
investment will have to be generated from private sector, foreign
direct investment, financial institutions, etc. The Ministry has
drawn up Draft Policy which envisages creation of enabling
environment for attracting such a huge investment. The investment
would be particularly required for creation of infrastructural
facilities including cold chain, research and development
activities, human resource development and in sectors like Fruits
and Vegetables Processing, Meat and Poultry Processing, Fish
Processing, Grain Processing etc.