Question : Food Processing Industries

(a) the details of existing food processing industries in the country and the facilities available to the industry including skilled workers and raw materials along with the benefits thereof, State-wise;
(b) the details of proposals received and approved for sanctioning financial assistance to set up food processing industries including processing units for potato, garlic and corn produce in various parts of the country during the last three years and the current year along with the details of financial assistance provided to the States for the purpose, State-wise;
(c) whether the Government proposes to give incentives and tax relaxation and raise the ceiling of loan for food processing industries in the country and if so, the details thereof;
(d) the steps taken/being taken to ensure value addition and remunerative income for entrepreneurs/farmers engaged in the food processing industries in the country; and
(e) the steps taken by the Government to provide adequate funds and technology to establish infrastructure for food processing?

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

(a) As per Annual Survey of Industries (ASI), 2012-13, the number of food processing units and persons engaged therein, state wise, are indicated in Annexure I.

(b) The latest position with respect to assistance given to States for setting up of food processing units under the Scheme of Technology Up-gradation-Establishment-Modernization of Food Processing Industries, is given in Annexure II.

(c) Food Processing is a priority sector of the Government under which existing incentive and taxes are under continuous evaluation for promoting the growth of this sector. There is no ceiling on the loan given to food processing industries.

(d) & (e) To establish more Food Processing Units, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) is implementing Schemes of Mega Food Parks, Cold Chain, Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure, and Setting up/Modernization of Abattoirs. Under these schemes grant in aid is provided for setting up/establishment of infrastructure for food processing units. A fund of Rs.2000 crore has also been constituted with NABARD to provide loans at concessional rate to Mega Food Parks and units established therein. Government has also announced 100% FDI in marketing of food products produced and manufactured in India for attracting investment in building the marketing infrastructure of food products.

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