The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) does not undertake Research and development work on its own. However, MoFPI is implementing a Research and Development Scheme, which is a part of Human Resource & Institutions Scheme under the umbrella scheme i.e. Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY). Under the scheme, financial assistance as Grant-in-aid is given to various Universities, IITs, Central/ State Government Institutions, Government funded organizations, R&D laboratories and CSIR recognized R&D units in private sector to promote and undertake demand driven R&D work in food processing sector. The objective of the scheme is to benefit food processing industry in terms of product and process development, efficient technologies, improved packaging, value addition etc. with commercial value along with standardization of various factors viz. additives, colouring agents, preservatives, pesticide residues, chemical contaminants, microbiological contaminants and naturally occurring toxic substances within permissible limits.

Under the scheme, R&D projects of Government organizations/ Institutions are eligible for 100% grant-in-aid for the cost of equipment, consumables and expenditure related to Research Fellows, etc& Private organizations/universities/institutions/R&D laboratories and CSIR recognized R&D units in private sector to the tune of 50% of equipment cost in general areas and 70% in difficult areas. Universities, IITs, central and state government institutions, and government-funded organizations are encouraged to promote and undertake demand-driven R&D in the food processing sector.

Under the R&D scheme, the Expression of Interest (EOI) is open for all communities including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, other Backward Class communities. However, there is no specific provision in the guidelines, for products tailored/designed to address the needs of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, or Other Backward Class communities.

Under the R&D scheme, since 2008-09 total of 236 R&D projects have been sanctioned, of which 225 have been completed and a total of 20 patents have been filed out of R&D projects sanctioned so far. Further 52 new technologies have been commercialized/transferred for products, processes & equipment/prototypes developed.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Shri Ravneet Singh in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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STK

(Release ID: 2153498)