Question : . COLD CHAIN PROJECTS

(a) whether a number of cold chain projects including food processing units, mega food parks have been set up to curb wastage of agricultural produce across the country;

(b) if so, the details of such projects, units and parks set up in the country during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise;

(c) whether the Government has accorded priority/encouraged investment for setting up of more cold chain projects, food processing units and food parks in various parts of the country;

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the budgetary allocation proposed by the Government for the purpose; and

(e) the details of employment generated in the food processing sector through food processing units and mega food projects in the country during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

(a): Yes, Madam.

(b): The State-wise details of Cold Chain projects, Food Processing Units and Mega Food Parks set up in the country, with the assistance from Central Government during each of the last three years and the current year are at Annexure-I to III.

(c): Yes, Madam.

(d): Government has made a Plan allocation of Rs.786.00 crore for implementation of Scheme of Cold Chain, Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure, Rs. 1714.00 crore for Scheme of Mega Food Parks and Rs.740.00 crore for Technology Up-gradation/ Establishment/Modernization of Food Processing Industries during the 12th Five Year Plan. A Plan allocation of Rs. 1250.00 crore has also been made for implementing National Mission on Food Processing in the country during 12th Five Year Plan. Setting up of the Cold Chain projects and Food Processing Units are being assisted under the National Mission on Food Processing through State/Union Territory Governments. In addition, Ministry of Agriculture is also providing funds for implementation of the Cold Storage through National Horticulture Mission, National Horticulture Board and National Cooperative Development Corporation. Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Department of Commerce is also creating Cold Chain/Storage capacities through their own Scheme.

(e): Central Statistics Office has been releasing information on different characteristics of factories registered under Factory Act, 1948 through their publication Annual Survey of Industries (ASI). As per the latest ASI for 2011-12, the total number of persons engaged in registered food processing units was 17.77 lakh constituting 12.13 per cent of employment in registered factory sector. Employment in registered food processing sector has been growing at 3.79 per cent annually for last five years ending 2011-12. The State-wise data for last three years up to 2011-12 is given at Annexure-IV.