Lok Sabha Question No. 38 (STARRED), answered on 2017-07-18
Subject: Setting up of Irradiation Centres
Ministry: FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
Asked by: JOSE K. MANI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*38

ANSWERED ON- 18 TH  JULY, 2017

## SETTING UP OF IRRADIATION CENTRES

## *38. SHRI JOSE K. MANI:

Will the Minister of Food Processing Industries be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  recent  agrarian  crisis  in  Madhya  Pradesh  where  farmers  had  to  sell  their perishable produce at throwaway prices due to bumper crops has prompted the Government to sensitise the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) to set up irradiation centres in the State  and  elsewhere  to  prolong  the  shelf  life  of  perishable  produce  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b) whether unlike chemical fumigants, irradiation does not leave any harmful toxic residue in the produce and is more effective in the processing of farm produce and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether  the  Lasalgaon  Onion  processing  facility  using  BARC  irradiation  technology  has been serving the interest of farmers of the region for the last few years and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SMT. HARSIMRAT KAUR BADAL)

- (a) to (c): A statement is placed on the table of the House.

*****

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (a)  to  (c)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *38 FOR ANSWER ON 18.07.2017 REGARDING SETTING UP OF IRRADIATION CENTRES.

(a): Board  of  Radiation  and  Isotope  Technology  (BRIT),  one  of  the  Industrial  Unit  of Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) normally assist by providing Co-60 source and offering dosimetry  services  to  interested  private  entrepreneurs,  semi  government  and  government organisations who approaches to set up radiation processing plant.

So  far  no  agency  from  Madhya  Pradesh  has  approached  with  a    plan  to  set  up  radiation processing plant  to prolong shelf life of perishable products.

Earlier following companies, which are based in Madhya Pradesh, have signed MOU with BRIT for setting up of Gamma Radiation Processing Plant:-

1.  M/s Raghuvansh Agrofarms Ltd, Indore
2.  M/s Avantee Mega Food Park Pvt.Ltd, Indore
3. (b): Irradiation does not leave any harmful toxic residue in the produce and its effectiveness is well proven and also there is no effect on taste and texture of the produce by using this process. As per Atomic Energy (Radiation Processing of Food and Allied Products) Rules, 2012, eight classes  of  products  are  approved  for  radiation  processing,  in  which  farm  produce  are  also included.
4. (c): Lasalgaon Onion Processing Facility (KRUSHAK) has been serving the interests of farmers as and when required by them. Facility is operational throughout the year.

Details of various products irradiated since 2015 is given below:

| Product                 | Quantity of radiation processed product (Tons)   | Quantity of radiation processed product (Tons)   | Quantity of radiation processed product (Tons)   |
|-------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|
| Product                 | 2015-16                                          | 2016-17                                          | 2017-18 (till June)                              |
| Onion                   | 115.25                                           | 361.8                                            | --                                               |
| Garlic                  | 15.81                                            | --                                               | --                                               |
| Dehydrated Onion Powder | 51.8                                             | 640.2                                            | 26                                               |
| Mangoes                 | 329                                              | 567                                              | 544.5                                            |
| Pomegranate             | --                                               | --                                               | 5.99                                             |
| Ayurvedic raw materials | 166.6                                            | 364.19                                           | 50.6                                             |