New Delhi, Jul 22 (KNN)  In order to reduce wastage and post-harvest losses of perishable items such as fruits and vegetables, and ensure smooth flow of goods from farm gate to consumer, the Ministry of Food Processing is implementing a number of schemes for setting up storage facilities in the country.

The move comes in the backdrop of a study published by the Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology (CIPHET) (ICAR, Ludhiana) in 2009, which said that annual wastage of fruits is estimated to be worth around Rs 7437 crores annually, including losses during transportation of fruits.

 “With the objective of reducing post-harvest losses by providing integrated cold chain and preservation infrastructure facilities without any break from the farm gate to the consumer, Ministry of Food Processing Industries is implementing a Central Sector Scheme of Cold Chain, Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure since 2008-09 in the country including Himachal Pradesh,” said Minister of State for Food Processing Industries, Sanjeev Kumar Balyan in the Lok Sabha today.  

“The financial assistance at the rate of 50 per cent of the total cost of plant and machinery and technical civil works in general areas and 75 per cent for NE region and difficult areas (North-Eastern States, Sikkim, J&K, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand) subject to a maximum grant-in-aid of Rs 10 Crore per project is provided for setting up the cold chain infrastructure in the country,” he added.

Integrated cold chain and preservation infrastructure can be set up by individuals, groups of entrepreneurs, cooperative societies, Self Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), NGOs, Central/State PSUs, etc.

Under the scheme of Cold Chain, Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure, the Ministry has sanctioned 121 cold chain projects for implementation in the country. Out of these, 9 projects have been sanctioned in Himachal Pradesh.

The Ministry has also launched a Centrally Sponsored Scheme - National Mission on Food Processing (NMFP) during 12th Plan. The NMFP is being implemented by the State/UT governments including Himachal Pradesh.

Under the Mission, financial assistance is provided for setting up cold chain infrastructure through various schemes such as: Scheme for Cold Chain, Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure for Non- Horticultural Products: This is for setting up of cold chain projects for non-horticulture produce like dairy, meat, poultry, fish etc.
In the Scheme for Creating Primary Processing Centres / Collection Centres in Rural Areas, financial assistance is provided for setting up processing and preservation facilities in rural areas to enhance shelf life of perishable produce.
 
Further, financial assistance to standalone reefer vehicle(s) and mobile pre-cooling van(s) for carrying and transporting, both horticultural and non-horticultural produce is provided under the scheme as credit linked back ended grants-in-aid.

In addition, National Horticulture Mission (NHM), National Horticulture Board (NHB), and National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) under Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture and Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industries, Government of India are also providing assistance for setting up cold storages under their respective schemes. 

The government also provides various other incentives to the cold chain sector such as deduction for expenditure incurred; project imports’ benefits; exemption from excise duty and service tax, etc.  (KNN/ES)