New Delhi, Dec 19 (KNN) The growth rates in the gross value added (GVA) in the food processing industries at 2011-12 prices were registered at 1.60 in 2013-14 followed by 12.82 per cent in 2014-15.

The data registered a drop at   6.87 per cent during 2015-16, Minister of State for Food Processing Industries, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti informed in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.

The Minister further said that as per the ITC trade map, based on the international trade data of the year 2016, India has a share of 2.22 per cent in world’s major food exports and 1.7 per cent in world’s food imports.

The Minister added that her office through its “scheme for Research & Development in processed food sector”, has been supporting Research and Development projects in Food Processing Sector.

Ministry of Food Processing Industries has set up various autonomous Institutions including National institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) and Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology (IIFPT) that are looking at the different research and developmental projects for the sector.

Highlighting the major outcomes, the Minister informed that automated line for small onion processing was introduced recently.

Also value added products from onion including peeled vacuum packed onion, dehydrated flakes and powder and onion paste are now on the chart.

The sector has started used technology for production of PUFA rich unsaturated fatty acid from fish oil (sardine), the Minister informed as the key developments along other similar outcomes. (With PIB Inputs) (KNN/ DA)