New Delhi, July 9 (KNN) Under the proposed Gram Samridhi Yojana, micro- food processing units are proposed to be assisted towards modernization and enhancing their competitiveness, said Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Minister of Food Processing Industries.

While providing details to the Parliament about the Gram Samridhi Yojana scheme, she clarified on the grant of food processing units in some states.

A question was raised on if there the government has any proposal for providing grants to establish Micro Food Processing units in coming time. At the same time details was asked especially, for the states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh including the North-Eastern States.

Replying to the question, Kaur said, “With a total plan outlay of Rs. 750 crores, Ministry has launched the Scheme ‘Creation of Infrastructure for Agro Processing Clusters’ in July, 2017. The scheme is under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana’ to create modern infrastructure closer to the production areas”.

Clarifying on some other schemes pertaining to Food Processing Industries to benefit small and medium farmers which could benefit to the small and medium farmerSs the Minister said, “All major schemes under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana that includes namely Mega Food Parks, Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure”.

Creation and Expansion of food processing and preservation capacities, creation of infrastructure for agro-processing clusters, backward and forward linkages and operation greens directly and indirectly benefit farmers, she added further.