Creation & Management of Cold Chain Infrastructure for Agriculture Identified as Thrust Area
Proposal for up-Scaling of Abattoir Modernization under Consideration
National Mission
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries has approved 10 Mega Food Parks in Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Jharkhand , Assam , West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Bihar and Tripura. In-principle approval has been accorded to 5 projects and Expression of Interest (EoI) issued for another 15 projects.
The Mega Food Parks Scheme (MFPS), a flagship programme of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MFPI) aims at accelerating the growth of food processing industry in the country through facilitating establishment of strong food processing infrastructure backed by an efficient supply chain. The scheme provides for a capital grant of 50 percent of the project cost in difficult and ITDP notified areas (with a ceiling of Rs 50 crores). The grant is utilized towards creation of common infrastructure in the park. A Mega Food Park
Scheme for Cold Chain, Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure
Eight out of ten cold chain projects approved by MFPI have started commercial operation. Substantive value addition, reduction in wastage and enhancement in farmers’ income is evident from concurrent evaluation of these projects. 39 projects have been approved in 2011. The approved projects envisage a total investment of about Rs. 850 crore.
These 49 projects would create cold chain capacity of over 2.30 lakh MT.
The cold chain scheme was approved in 2008 with an objective to provide integrated and complete cold chain, value addition and preservation infrastructure facilities without any break, for perishables from the farm gate to the consumer. The assistance under the scheme includes financial assistance (grant-in-aid) of 50% of the total cost of plant and machinery and technical civil works in general areas and 75% for NE region and difficult areas subject to a maximum of Rs 10 crore.
Taking note of the high demand and the gap in the requirement of cold storage, processing, preservation and cold logistics facilities in India
Modernization of abattoirs
In the year 2011, two projects at Ahmednagar in Maharashtra and Dimapur in Nagaland have been completed. Ten projects for modernization of abattoirs are at various stages of progress. A proposal for up-scaling the scheme is under consideration.
Technology Upgradation/Establishment/ Modernization of Food Processing Industries
A sum of Rs. 488 crore is likely to be spent by March 2012 on the scheme for technology upgradation and modernization of food processing industries. This scheme is adding huge processing capacity to the food processing industry which in turn has resulted in significant reduction of wastages.
New ‘Mission
The Working Group on Food Processing for the XII Plan has recommended a new centrally sponsored scheme in the form of National Mission on Food Processing proposed with seven components. Four components, namely, (i) Technology up-gradation / setting up / modernization of food processing industries, (ii) HRD, (iii) Modernization of Abattoirs and (iv) Promotional Activities are being implemented in 11th Plan as Central Sector Schemes which will form part of the National Mission on Food Processing. Three new activities, namely, (i) Modernization of Meat Shops, (ii) Cold Chain, Value Addition & Preservation Infrastructure for non-horticulture produce, and (iii) Creation of on-farm PPC/CCs are proposed as new components. Planning Commission has given in-principle approval.
Launching of National Mission on Food Processing is likely to have greater involvement of State Governments and all stakeholders resulting fast growth of the food processing sector. ---PIB
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