Question : COLD STORAGES

(a) the value of the current wastage of fresh fruits and vegetables in each State/UT;

(b) whether the Government proposes to modernise the cold storages with external assistance;

(c) if so, the external assistance sought and provided so far by these countries;

(d) whether the Government proposes to provide additional incentives to the cold storage entrepreneurs to set up more cold storages in the country;

(e) if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to set up cold storage facilities at village level in the country?

THE MINISTER OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)

(a) to (f) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) to (f) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 125 FOR ANSWER ON 21st AUGUST, 2012 REGARDING COLD STORAGES.

(a): As per the report of Central Institute of Post Harvest Engineering and Technology (CIPHET) (ICAR Ludhiana), published in April 2010, based on nationwide sample survey conducted in 106 districts of India during 2005 to 2007, the value of annual wastage of fruits and vegetables was estimated at Rs. 13,309 crores at 2009 wholesale prices. CIPHET in its report has not indicated State-wise details of wastages of fruits and vegetables. However crop-wise wastages of fruits and vegetables are at Annexure- 1.

(b) & (c): There is no such proposal to modernise the cold storages with external assistance.

(d) & (e): “Creation and Management of cold chain infrastructure” for agriculture has been identified as a thrust area by the Hon’ble Prime Minister recently. The various incentives provided by the Government to this sector is at Annexure-2.

(f): Ministry of Food Processing Industries implements the Scheme of Integrated Cold Chain, Value Addition & Preservation Infrastructure (part of scheme of Infrastructure Development) and under which it provides financial assistance in the form of grant-in-aid @ 50% of the total cost of plant and machinery and technical civil works in general areas, and @ 75% of the total cost of plant and machinery and technical civil works in difficult areas including North Eastern states subject to a maximum of Rs.10.00 crore for strengthening and value addition of cold chain infrastructure. The scheme also provides for backward linkages in shape of collection centers at farm level with facilities for pre-cooling/storages/minimal processing.

In addition, other Government of India organizations like National Horticulture Mission (NHM), National Horticulture Board (NHB), Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) and State Governments also provide assistance for cold storages under their respective schemes.

All these schemes are available in rural areas also.