Question : Agro-Processing Cluster

(a) the details of various initiatives of agro-processing cluster undertaken and the ongoing projects of such clusters, state-wise, including the state of Maharashtra;

(b) whether the government has conducted any study in the context of developing agro processing clusters and mega food parks in the country and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether some modern infrastructure has been provided for food processing units and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) the details of ongoing and upcoming projects and initiatives taken by the Government regarding reduction of networth criteria for women and SC / ST entrepreneurs for agro processing clusters and units in it; and

(e) the number of project approved under the infrastructure development of agro-processing clusters under Mega Food Parks Scheme in the state of Odisha; and

(f) the total number fixed as target for the state of Odisha and the status of its approval so far?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
(SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

(a): Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has been implementing the Scheme for Creation of Infrastructure for Agro Processing Clusters (APC) under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) to incentivize the setting up of agro processing clusters in the country including Maharashtra. The details of ongoing projects approved under the Scheme for Creation of Infrastructure for Agro Processing Clusters is at Annexure.

(b): The Government has got conducted a third party impact evaluation study of Mega Food Park scheme through M/s KPMG Advisory Services Pvt. Ltd, Gurgaon, Haryana. However, no specific study has been conducted in the context of developing ago-processing clusters.

(c): The Scheme for Creation of Infrastructure for Agro-Processing Clusters (APC) and Scheme of Mega Food Parks (MFP) aim at development of modern infrastructure to encourage entrepreneurs to set up food processing units based on cluster approach. The projects approved under these schemes have created / provided Basic Enabling and Core Processing Infrastructure to the food processing units such as roads, drainage, water supply, electricity supply including power backup, effluent treatment plant, parking bay, weigh bridges, common office space, food testing laboratory, cleaning, grading, sorting and packing facilities, steam generation boilers, dry warehouse, cold storage, pre-cooling chambers, ripening chambers, IQF, specialized packaging, other common processing facilities etc.

(d): The details of ongoing projects approved under the Scheme for Creation of Infrastructure for Agro Processing Clusters is at Annexure. However, the details of upcoming projects may not be provided as of now, since the scheme has been closed on 31.03.2021. As per the eligibility criteria prescribed in the latest guidelines of the APC scheme, the combined net worth of the Project Execution Agency (PEA) should not be less than 1.5 times of the grants-in-aid amount sought. However, the combined net worth of applicants proposing to set up units in these APCs and seeking financial assistance under the Scheme for Creation/Expansion of Food Processing & Preservation Capacities (CEFPPC) should be equivalent or more than the amount of promoter’s equity/ contribution.

(e): MoFPI has not approved any agro processing cluster project in the State of Odisha under APC scheme. However, 2 Mega Food Parks have been approved under Mega Food Park Scheme.

(f): Initially, there were 3 slots allotted to Odisha under APC scheme. However, Ministry has not approved any project in the state of Odisha as no eligible proposal has been received from Odisha under Agro Processing Cluster Scheme.



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