Steps were taken by Government to boost
1. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY):
It is an umbrella plan and was introduced in 2017 and encompasses both existing and new programs. It has a budget of Rs. 6000 crore for 2016-20, with the goal of benefiting 20 lakh farmers. The goal of PMKSY is to complement agriculture, modernize processes, and reduce agri-waste. It also aids in the provision of higher pricing to farmers and the creation of good job prospects.
It is a complete bundle that includes the following seven components:
- Mega food parks.
- Infrastructure for cold chain integration and price addition.
- Food processing and preservation facilities are being built or expanded.
- Agro-processing Cluster Infrastructure
- Establishing backward and forward links.
- Infrastructure for ensuring food safety and quality.
- Institutional and human resources.
2. Mega food parks scheme (MFPS):
Horticultural crops are usually farmed in clusters of comparable farmers, dealers, and industries in certain places. The mega food park concept was established to give world-class infrastructural facilities to these clusters.
Its goals are as follows:
- Increasing the quantity of additional value,
- In order to reduce waste,
- To increase the revenue of farmers.
Government Policies to Meet the Challenges of the Food Processing Sector
Food processing is a type of manufacturing in which raw materials are processed into intermediate foods or edible items using scientific knowledge and technology. Bulky, perishable, and occasionally inedible food resources are converted into more usable, concentrated, shelf-stable, and pleasant meals or beverages using a variety of techniques. Food processing, for the most part, improves the storability, portability, palatability, and convenience of the finished product. General features of raw food resources, principles of food preservation, processing elements that impact quality, packaging, water and waste management, excellent manufacturing methods, and sanitary protocols are all important for food processing professionals to know.
The Food Processing Industry (FPI) is a rising business that has gained traction in recent years. Because of the critical links and synergies that it fosters between the two pillars of our economy, industry, and agriculture, the industry is extremely important. It has a lot of potential for stimulating economic growth, which has prompted the government to take a number of legislative steps to support the food processing industry.
The Indian food sector ranks fifth in terms of scale, contributing almost 6% of GDP, 13% of Indian exports, and 6% of overall industrial investment in the country. Furthermore, it is expected to develop at a pace of 20%, with the processed food category accounting for 25%. Milk and milk products, snack foods, bread goods, fruit and vegetable products, fish and meat processing, and food processing machinery and related equipment are all important aspects of this business. Exports are increasing, which creates more job opportunities.