Question : COLD STORAGE PROJECTS

(a) whether the Government has sanctioned various cold storage projects in the country;

(b) if so, the details of the funds allocated, sanctioned and released for setting up of cold storages under the National Food Processing Mission (NMFP) in the country during the last three years and the current year, year-wise, State-wise;

(c) the achievements of the projects in increasing capacity of cold storage, milk processing and refrigerated trucks;

(d) whether the Government has recently commissioned a new study on food wastage; and

(e) if so, the time by which the report is likely to complete?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

(a)to(c): Yes, Madam. The Ministry has launched a scheme of Cold Chain, Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure for non-horticultural products as one of the components under National Mission on Food Processing (NMFP) during the remainder of 12th Plan (2013-17). Under NMFP, scheme-wise fund allocation is not made. However, year-wise, State-wise details of cold chain projects sanctioned, grant sanctioned and released for setting up of cold chain projects under National Mission on Food Processing (NMFP) for the period from 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15 is at Annexure – I.

The cold chain projects under the NMFP have been sanctioned during 2012-13 and 2013-14 only and they are under the process of implementation. Therefore, achievements of these projects in terms of cold storage capacity creation, milk processing and refrigerated trucks cannot be quantified at this stage.

(d) & (e): The Ministry of Food Processing Industries has assigned a repeat study to Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology (CIPHET), Ludhiana at the cost of Rs. 539.91 lakh covering 45 crops/commodities in 106 districts of the country. The final study report is likely to be submitted by March, 2015.