Lok Sabha Question No. 3983 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-19
Subject: Setting up of Multi-Product Food Processing Units
Ministry: FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Smt. Kamlesh Jangde

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3983

ANSWERED ON 19 TH  DECEMBER, 2024

## SETTING UP OF MULTI-PRODUCT FOOD PROCESSING UNITS

## 3983. SMT. KAMLESH JANGDE:

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

- (a) the details of Cold Storage Scheme;
- (b) whether any time limit has been fixed for setting up multi product food processing units under Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure or Cold Storage Scheme;
- (c) if so, the details and the intended outcomes thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has formulated any action plan for setting up of multi-product food processing units in the State of Chhattisgarh; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI RAVNEET SINGH)

(a).  Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has been implementing two schemes namely (i) Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) and (ii) Capital Investment Subsidy for construction/ Expansion/ Modernization of Cold Storages and Storages for Horticulture through National Horticulture Board (NHB) for setting up of standalone cold storages across the country. Under MIDH scheme, financial assistance in the form of credit linked back ended subsidy is provided at the rate of 35% of the project cost in  general  areas  and  50%  of  the  project  cost  in  hilly  and  scheduled  areas  through  State  Horticulture Missions. Under Capital Investment Subsidy for construction/ Expansion/ Modernization of Cold Storages and Storages for Horticulture, credit linked back ended subsidy is provided at the rate of 35% of the capital cost of the project in general areas and 50% in case of North East, hilly & scheduled areas for construction/ expansion/ modernization of cold storage and Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage of capacity above 5000 MT and up to 10000 MT. In case of North East region, the units with capacity above 1000 MT are also eligible for assistance.

Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) does not implement the Cold Storage scheme. However, MoFPI implements a component scheme namely Scheme for Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure  (Cold  Chain  scheme)  under  the  Central  Sector  umbrella  scheme-  Pradhan  Mantri  Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) with an objective to provide integrated cold chain, preservation and value addition infrastructure facilities, without any break, from the farm gate to the consumer in order to reduce post-harvest  losses  of  non-horticulture  produce,  dairy,  meat,  poultry,  and  marine  /fish  (except  shrimp). Under the scheme, financial assistance in the form of grants-in-aid / subsidy is provided for setting up of cold chain project including multi product food irradiation units (integrated or standalone) at the rate of 35% of eligible project cost for project in General Area and @ 50% of eligible project cost for Difficult Areas as well as for projects of SC/ST, FPOs and SHGs, subject to maximum of Rs.10 crore per project.

(b)  to  (c).      The  timeline  for  completion  and  operationalization  of  cold  chain  projects  including  multiproduct food irradiation units is 24 months and 30 months in case of projects under general areas and difficult areas respectively as per the extant Cold Chain scheme guidelines.

Food irradiation units provide an effective alternate initiative to various food processing methodologies, by adding following benefits:

-  Reduced  post-harvest  losses:  (i)  prevention/delay  of  sprouting  and  ripening,  (ii) extension of shelf life and (iii) reduction of perishability of raw foods.
-  Safety and sustainability: (i) non-polluting and eco-friendly process, (ii) reduction of carbon footprint of food value chain and (iii) free from toxic chemicals.
-  Retains quality of produce: (i) no/ minimal effect on texture and nutrition and (ii) inactivate/ arrest growth of microorganisms.

The above benefits of food irradiation along with cold chain facility eventually lead to linking farmers to food processors and market through a well-equipped supply chain, thereby ensuring remunerative prices to farmers and year-round availability of food products to consumers across the country.

(d) to (e).  Cold Chain scheme is demand driven and proposals are invited by the Ministry from across the country including the State of Chhattisgarh through floating Expression of Interests (EoIs) from time to time based on availability of funds under the scheme.

*****