Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) launched a Centrally Sponsored Scheme - National Mission on Food Processing (NMFP) to be implemented through State / UT Governments during 12^th Five Year Plan (2012-17). The scheme aimed at decentralization of implementation of the schemes, leading to substantial participation of State Governments/UTs. The State / UT Governments were given flexibility in implementing the schemes included in the NMFP based on the needs of local area.   

However, Government of India (GOI) has delinked the NMFP from Central Government support from the current financial year. State Governments may decide to continue (or not) NMFP scheme out of their increased resources resulting from the recommendations of the 14^th Finance Commission.

The following schemes of 11^th Five Year Plan were subsumed under the Mission during first year of 12^th Plan (2012-13):

(i)          Scheme for Technology Up-gradation / Establishment / Modernisation of Food Processing Industries.

(ii)        Scheme for Cold Chain, Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure for Non Horticultural Products.

(iii)      Scheme for Human Resource Development (HRD).

(iv)      Scheme for Promotional Activities.

The following new components were included for the remainder of 12^th Plan (2013-17) under the Mission:   

(i)             Scheme for Creating Primary Processing Centres / Collection Centres in Rural Areas.

(ii)           Modernisation of Meat Shops.

(iii)         Reefer Vehicles.

(iv)         Scheme for Setting-up / Modernisation / Expansion of Abattoirs (implemented w.e.f 2014-15).

Since the Mission was implemented by State / UT Governments, Ministry had not fixed any physical targets for 12^th Five Year Plan. The State Governments were given flexibility to set their own physical targets and identify focus areas to harness the potential of value addition by using locally grown raw material.

The NMFP was to augment the capacity of the food processing by adoption of new technologies and improving the quality of food products as per the National / International standards. Mission also aimed to reduce wastage of agricultural produce, infuse new technologies, upgrade human resource capacities to provide impetus to the development of food processing sector in the country.   

This information was given by the Minister of State for Food Processing Industries, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti in Rajya Sabha today.

SB/ Development of sector