(a) whether the food processing industries have the potential for increasing the avenues of employment;
(b) if so, whether the Government has made any assessment in
this regard;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government to explore such avenues of
employment?
THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI SUBODH KANT SAHAI)
(a) to (d): There is a substantial scope for growth of food
processing industries in the country. As per the evaluation
report of IIM, Kolkata, National Productivity Council (NPC) and
M/s SCOPE, Chennai in respect of food processing units assisted
in the 9th Plan by the Ministry, assistance of Rs. 1.00 lakh
extended by the Ministry is estimated to have attracted an
investment of Rs. 6.23 lakh from private sector/financial
institutions and generated 0.98 direct employment and 1.29
indirect employment. The outcomes about investment and
employment are also subject to general market conditions,
viability of projects, performance of the management etc. The
Ministry is implementing various plan schemes for encouraging the
Food Processing Sector.