Question : AGRO-FOOD PROCESSING MILK SECTOR UNDER TIFAC

(a) whether the Agro-Food Processing Milk Sector has made steady progress under the Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) in the Southern States of the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Union Government have expressed their concern over the poor performance of Agro-Food Processing Milk Sector in the country;

(d) whether certain amount is allocated to the States to ensure the facilitation of technology assessment in this regard;

(e) if so, the details in this regard; and

(f) the steps being taken by the Government to ensure the success of the technology under TIFAC?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (SHRI BACHI SINGH RAWAT)

(a) & (b) Yes, Sir. Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council has signed an agreement with Karnataka Kolar Milk Union and Karnataka Cooperative Milk Producers Union on the project titled `Improvement in Milk Quality and Yield by Establishing Modern Dairy Farming at Kolar`, with a project cost of Rs. 2.16 crores and TIFAC has also signed an agreement with the Andhra Pradesh Dairy Development Cooperative Federation Limited on the project titled `Pilot Project For Clean Milk Production in Andhra Pradesh`, with a project cost of Rs.2.09 crores. The duration of both the projects is one year and the budgetary support of TIFAC is Rs.1.00 crore in each case.

(c) No, Sir.

(d) & (e) No, Sir. Funds are allocated to specific projects only and no funds are being allocated to State Governments.

(f) Under Technology Vision-2020 Projects, TIFAC is monitoring the progress through sector related panels in the four sub-sectors, namely, Milk, Fruit & Vegetables, Cereals and Fish to ensure the success of the technology. The Government is committed to supporting TIFAC to ensure the success of its projects.