(a) whether the Government has undertaken R&D Projects for development of food processing industries in the country;
(b) If so, the details thereof;
(c) the funds allocated for the purpose during the 12th Five year plan; and
(d) the number of on-going Food Processing Projects in the country and the action taken by the Government for timely completion of these projects?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
(SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)
(a) & (b): Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has been implementing scheme for Research & Development in processed food sector the country. Under the scheme, financial assistance as grant- in-aid is given to various Universities, IITs, Central/ State Government Institutions, Government funded Organizations, R&D laboratories and CSIR recognized R&D units in private sector to promote and undertake demand driven R&D work in the field of processed food sector for product & process development, design and development of equipment, improved storage, shelf-life, packaging etc. Under the scheme so far 232 R&D projects have been sanctioned, out of this 164 projects have been completed.
Government organizations/ Institutions/ Universities are eligible for 100% grant-in-aid for the cost of equipment, consumables and expenditure related to Junior Research Fellow/ Senior Research Fellow/ Research Associate, while private Organizations/ Institutions/ Universities are eligible for 50% grant-in-aid for the equipment cost in general areas and 70% grant-in-aid in difficult areas for conducting such research activities.
(c): During 12th Plan Period, the scheme was implemented through Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) of Department of Science and Technology. From 1st April, 2017 onwards, the scheme is being implemented directly by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries. The funds allocated under the R&D scheme during the Twelfth Five Year Plan are as under:-
S. No. Year Funds allocated
(Rs. in Crores)
1 2012-13 10.50
2 2013-14 9.55
3 2014-15 7.60
4 2015-16 6.67
5 2016-17 5.80
(d): Under the scheme, there are 68 number of ongoing R&D projects in Private and Public sector. For timely completion of these projects, periodic review of these projects is carried out by the Ministry. The Ministry has been regularly following up the matter with the concerned Principal Investigators/Institutes/Organizations for submission of Project progress or Final Project Completion Report (FPCR).
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