Question : FOOD PROCESSING UNITS



(a) the total number of food processing units in the country alongwith the number of public and private owned units;

(b) whether the Government would include private and small, medium enterprises to increase the number of food processing units;

(c) if so, the details thereof and the number of food processing units established in the country under Public- Private Partnership model;

(d) the financial assistance provided to these private enterprises; and

(e) the number of employment opportunities generated so far in this industry?

Answer given by the minister


THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (DR. CHARAN DAS MAHANT)

(a) to (c): The data on number of food processing units including public and private owned units are not maintained by Ministry of Food Processing Industry. As per Annual Survey of Industries there were 26,221 registered food processing units in the country in 2007-08. Details are given at Annexure- I.

(d) & (e): The Ministry under its Plan Scheme for Technology Upgradation/ Establishment/ Modernization of FPIs extends the financial assistance for setting up of new food processing units as well as technological upgradation and expansion of existing units in the country. Ministry extends financial assistance in the form of grants-in-aid to entrepreneurs @ 25% of the cost of Plant and Machinery and Technical Civil Works subject to a maximum of Rs. 50 lakhs per project in general areas and @ 33.33% subject to maximum of Rs. 75 lakhs per project in difficult areas. The details of the financial assistance provided to the entrepreneurs in the country is at Annexure – II.

The persons employed under the registered Food Processing Industries have been increasing from 2004-05 to 2007-08. There has been a fall in the growth rate of employment in registered food processing units in 2007-08 due to global slowdown in economic activity. As per National Statistical Survey Organization 62nd round data, in the unorganized food processing sector, 63,45,768 persons were employed during the year 2005-06.