The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MFPI), Govt of India has moved a cabinet note for setting-up of 'National Mission on Food Processing' in cooperation with the state governments. The aim is to give a thrust to the sector and prevent wastage of agriculture produce.
The Ministry of Finance, Govt of India has already vetted the cabinet note which was mooted by MFPI and it is likely to be taken by the cabinet shortly,
official sources said. According to MFPI, the proposal aims to set-up the mission as a centrally-sponsored scheme with a view to encourage the food processing industry in the country, stated The Economics Times report. The scheme, which was proposed in the 2012-13 budget, would be developed in cooperation with the state governments. India lags behind in the food processing sector globally, as a result of which of fruits and vegetables worth nearly Rs 44,000 crore are wasted annually due to lack of proper infrastructure and facilities. The schemes to be covered under the NMFP include technology upgradation for expansion of food processing industries, supporting cold storage facility and for human resource development. It would also include creation of infrastructure facilities for running courses in food processing technology, entrepreneurship development programme and promotional activities related to the sector. The budgetary allocation for the Food Processing sector has been fixed at Rs 660 crore for the current fiscal, up from Rs 600 crore in 2011-12. The sector has been growing at an average of over 8 per cent during the past five years. Under the mission, the state governments will set up food processing units on a large scale with technological and logistical support from the Centre. As per the report, the Centre will provide assistance to the states for technological upgradation, skill development, promotional activities and setting up of non-horticultural cold storages.
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official sources said. According to MFPI, the proposal aims to set-up the mission as a centrally-sponsored scheme with a view to encourage the food processing industry in the country, stated The Economics Times report. The scheme, which was proposed in the 2012-13 budget, would be developed in cooperation with the state governments. India lags behind in the food processing sector globally, as a result of which of fruits and vegetables worth nearly Rs 44,000 crore are wasted annually due to lack of proper infrastructure and facilities. The schemes to be covered under the NMFP include technology upgradation for expansion of food processing industries, supporting cold storage facility and for human resource development. It would also include creation of infrastructure facilities for running courses in food processing technology, entrepreneurship development programme and promotional activities related to the sector. The budgetary allocation for the Food Processing sector has been fixed at Rs 660 crore for the current fiscal, up from Rs 600 crore in 2011-12. The sector has been growing at an average of over 8 per cent during the past five years. Under the mission, the state governments will set up food processing units on a large scale with technological and logistical support from the Centre. As per the report, the Centre will provide assistance to the states for technological upgradation, skill development, promotional activities and setting up of non-horticultural cold storages.
Source