(a) whether the Government has started the research and development projects of Food Processing Industries (FPIs) with a view to promote industries in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the annual budgetary provision made by the Government in this regard; and
(d) the number of food processing projects started in the country during the last three years along with the employment generated therein?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
(SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)
(a) to (c): Ministry of Food Processing Industries does not undertake research and development projects on its own, however, the Ministry under the Scheme of R&D, extends financial assistance as grant-in-aid 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 food processing sector including food processing industries for product & process development, design and development of equipment, improved storage, shelf-life, packaging etc. R&D projects of Government organizations/ Institutions are eligible for 100% grant-in-aid for the cost of equipment, consumables and expenditure related to Research Fellows, etc. 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. The budget allocation for Research and Development scheme for the current financial year, i.e., 2021-2022 is Rs.7.60 Cr.
(d): The details indicating number of food processing projects started in the country with the assistance of this Ministry during the last three years along with the employment generated therein are as under:
S.No. Year Number of food processing projects Employment generated (in numbers)
1 2019-20 79 44536
2 2020-21 98 53916
3 2021-22
(up to 31.01.2022) 98 52610
Total 275 151062
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