Question : ASSISTANCE TO FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

(a) the criteria followed by the Government for establishing Food Processing Industries (FPIs)/ units in the country;

(b) the number of proposals received from the State Government/private bodies for financial assistance to set up FPIs during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;

(c) the action taken by the Government thereon along with the details of proposals sanctioned/pending for consideration during the above period, State/UT-wise;

(d) the number of FPIs set up in various parts of the country along with the funds sanctioned, released and utilised for the purpose during the said period, State/UT-wise; and

(e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government for taking help from other countries for making FPIs more competitive at the International level?

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

(a):Ministry of Food Processing Industries does not establish food processing industries on its own in the country. Since the Scheme of Technology Upgradation/ Establishment/ Modernization of Food Processing Industries has been subsumed in the newly launched Centrally Sponsored Scheme-National Mission on Food Processing (NMFP) w.e.f 12th Plan (2012-17), the Ministry of Food Processing Industries does not receive any applications for the scheme w.e.f. 1.4.2012. Instead, all the applications under the above scheme are received/ sanctioned and funds are released, as per guidelines, by the respective State/ UT Governments, for setting up of Food Processing units in various sub-sectors like bakery, consumers, meat, dairy, fish, fruits & vegetables etc.

(b) to (d): During 12th Five Year Plan (w.e.f.1.4.2012), no new applications for setting up of Food Processing units are received in the Ministry. However, the number of 11th Plan applications received, sanctioned, funds released and pending year-wise, State-wise for the last three years and the current year is annexed.

(e):Ministry of Food Processing Industries has entered into agreements with some developed countries viz. Germany & France for bilateral co-operation in the field of food processing which generally include processed food segments including fruits & vegetables. Besides, the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation has entered into number of umbrella agreements with some developed countries like USA, France, Canada, the Netherlands, Argentina, Austria, Brazil for bilateral co-operation in the areas of agriculture and allied sectors which generally include agro and food processing, cold chain etc.