Question : Status of Mega Food Parks

(a) whether it is true that India is the second largest producer of foodgrains, fruits and vegetables in the world;

(b) if so, whether the Government has sanctioned 42 Mega Food Parks (MFPs) to set up Food Processing Industries;

(c) If so, the present operational status of these MFPs;

(d) whether it is also a fact that the Government has not set up export hut and/or made special arrangements to export the processed foods thereof; and

(e) if so, the details of the plans of the Government to make operational all the MFPs and the export assistance therein?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
(SHRI RAMESWAR TELI)

(a). As per the latest estimates of Food and Agriculture Organization’s statistics (FAOSTAT), India is the third largest producer of cereals, the largest producer of pulses, the second largest producer of vegetables primary (including Melons) and the second largest producer of Fruits primary (excluding Melons).

(b) & (c). A total of 42 Mega Food Parks (MFPs) were envisaged by the Government under Mega Food Park Scheme. As on date, Ministry has accorded final approval to 37 MFPs in 23 states/Union Territories. The current status of implementation is at Annexure.

(d). The Government is implementing various schemes like ‘Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES), ‘Market Access Initiatives (MAI) Scheme’, ‘Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) etc. to promote exports, including agri food products. It is also implementing a new
Central Sector Scheme – ‘Transport and Marketing Assistance for Specified Agriculture Products’
- for providing assistance for the international component of freight to mitigate the freight disadvantage for the export of agriculture products and marketing of agricultural products. In order to promote the agricultural exports, that includes processed agri food products, Government has formulated a comprehensive Agriculture Export Policy(AEP). Also, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) provides incentives to processed food exporters under its different schemes.

(e). The Mega Food Park Scheme is aimed at providing modern infrastructure facilities for food processing along the value chain from farm to market. A total of 19 Mega Food Park Projects have been made operational. Ministry holds regular review meetings and coordinates with the project promoters and concerned State Governments to make all the Mega Food Parks operational.

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