(a) whether farmers are assisted towards promoting food processing
amongst them, in the country including in Maharashtra;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the specific steps taken to provide food processing technology
at farm level; and
(d) the extent to which the farmers are benefited in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (DR. CHARAN DAS MAHANT)
(a) to (d): To promote the food processing sector in the country including
Maharashtra, the Government is implementing infrastructure scheme which
comprises of Scheme for Mega Food Parks, Cold Chain, Value Addition and
Preservation Infrastructure for Horticulture Products and Abattoir Scheme,
which could be availed by farmers for maximization of value addition,
minimization of wastages and improving their income.
In addition, Government had launched a National Mission on Food Processing
(NMFP), a new Centrally Sponsored Scheme from 2012-13 through State/UT Governments
to give further impetus to the food processing sector through decentralization
and better reach by involving the State/UT Governments to implement all the
Schemes of the mission during 12th Plan (2012-13), which are:
(i) Scheme for Technology Up-gradation / Establishment / Modernisation of
Food Processing Industries.
(ii) Scheme for Cold Chain, Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure for
Non Horticultural Products.
(iii) Scheme for Modernisation of Abattoirs ( no targets for 2012-13 & 2013-14).
(iv) Scheme for Human Resource Development (HRD) with following components
i.e. (a) Creation of Infrastructure Facilities for Running Degree/Diploma/Certificate
Courses in Food Processing Technology; (b) Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP)
and (c) Food Processing Training Centre (FPTC).
(v) Scheme for Promotional Activities i.e. (a) Organizing Seminar/Workshops;
(b) Conducting Studies/Surveys; (c) Support to Exhibitions/Fairs and
(d) Advertisement & Publicity.
The State Governments have flexibility in the mission to implement even new
schemes to help the farmers with the approval of National Food Processing
Development Council headed by Minister (A&FPI).
The details of financial assistance provided to the various States/UTs including
Maharashtra under the Scheme for Technology Up-gradation/Establishment/ Modernisation
of Food Processing Industries during 11th Plan and 1st year of 12th Plan (2012-13)
towards committed liabilities of 11th Plan is at Annexure.