Govt allocates Rs 444.38 cr for food processing in last 7 mnth

The allocation of funds under various food processing schemes for setting up of food parks, cold chains and others projects has more than doubled to Rs 444.38 crore during the June-December period of 2014.
In the June-December period of 2013, the funds allocated by Food Processing Ministry under various schemes stood at Rs 207.35 crore, an official statement said today.
During June-December 2014, five mega food parks have been accorded final approval. So far, government has approved 42 projects, of which 25 projects are presently under implementation, the statement said.
"Under National Mission on Food Processing (NMFP), funds released during December 2013 to May 2014 were Rs 34.99 crore to 12 states and during June 2014 to December 2014 Rs 94.27 crore was released to 22 states. Release of funds for NMFP has improved phenomenally," it said.

The Ministry also said after the new government assume charge ten cold chain projects during the period from June 2014 to December 2014 have been completed whereas in the same period last year, 7 cold chain projects were approved.
So far, 2.46 lakh tonnes of cold storage, 84.86 lakh litres per day milk processing, 330 Refrigerated Trucks and 59.5 tonnes per hour of Individual Quick Freezing capacity has been created, it added.
The government has also allocated special fund of Rs 2000 crore set up in National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) to provide affordable credit to the food processing units to be set up in the designated Food Parks.

The Ministry also said in order to provide impetus to the Food Processing sector the government has also decentralised of the implementation of schemes with active participation of state governments.