Lok Sabha Question No. 300 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-18
Subject: Preservation of Agricultural Produce
Ministry: FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
Asked by: ANJU BALA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 300

ANSWERED ON 18 TH JULY, 2017

## PRESERVATION OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE

## 300. SHRIMATI ANJU BALA:

Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to create awareness amongst the  farmers to   preserve their perishable agricultural produce thereby promoting food processing in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  also  proposes  to  create  linkages  between  farmers  and  Food Processing Industries to reduce the wastage of perishable agricultural commodities;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the  success  achieved  by  the  Government  in  financial  terms  in  preserving  perishable agricultural commodities during the last three years, State-wise.?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) : Yes Madam, The Ministry has a separate scheme for the Promotional Activities, Advertisements,  Publicity,  Studies  &  surveys  to  create  awareness  of  plan  schemes  and  to encourage  investment  in  food  processing  which  are  aimed  at  creating  infrastructure  and facilities for food processing industries for reducing wastages, enhancing  preservation, extending shelf life and processing of perishables resulting in increase of income of farmers.

The promotional activities of the Ministry are aimed at the development of the processed food sector, creating awareness among all stakeholders including farmers, attracting investment etc. Participation  in  national/international  exhibitions/  fairs  is  made  to  disseminate  information including  Farmer  Producers  Organizers  (FPOs),  Micro,  Small  and  Medium  Entrepreneurs regarding  food processing  industries,  familiarizing  the  existing  and  prospective  entrepreneurs with modern techniques of production and packaging, development of market and popularization of products. Research and development innovations are also showcased amongst farmers  and  processors.  Assistance  is  provided  for  organization  of  national/international seminars / workshops of pan India nature which are spearheaded by apex industry bodies like CII,  FICCI,  ASSOCHAM,  PHD  Chamber  of  Commerce  and  Industry,  All  India  Food Processors  Association  (AIFPA),  Central  Government  Autonomous  Bodies  and  Public  sector Undertakings in the field of food processing industry for this purpose.

- (c) &  (d)  :    Government  of  India  has  approved  a  new  Central  Sector  Scheme  -  KISAN SAMPADA YOJANA (KSY) for the period up to 2019-20 to be implemented by Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI).  Under KSY, a new Scheme for Creation of Backward and Forward Linkages has been approved. The objective of the scheme is to provide effective and seamless backward and forward integration for processed food industry by plugging the gaps in supply chain in terms of availability of raw material and linkages with the market. The scheme will  enable  linking  of  farmers  to  processors  and  the  market  thereby  ensuring  remunerative prices for their produce. The new scheme for creation of capacities under Kisan Sampada Yojna will also assist in creating linkages between farmers & FPIs to reduce the wastage of perishable commodities.

In addition to this, Government of India under Kisan Sampada Yojna is also  implementing the Mega  Food  Park  and  Cold  Chain  Schemes  which  also  aim  to  reduce  post-harvest  losses  of horticulture and non-horticulture produce and providing remunerative price to farmers for their produce.

(e) : No year-wise assessment of preservation of perishable agricultural commodities has been made by the Government.

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