The Food Processing Ministry took a step further the number of integrated cold storage facilities in the country which currently has a shortfall in handling capacity for at least 29-30 million tonnes (mt) of milk and dairy products, fruits and vegetables, fish and marine produce and cereals.
Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the Food Processing Minister, announced the sanctioning for 30 new cold storage units here on Monday. In total, there are 138 such facilities now sanctioned as part of the Integrated Cold Chain project. In its first year, the Ministry has operationalised 14 cold chain projects.
“Food wastage is a huge issue and we need to have a zero-tolerance approach with the population rising each year and the land available for cultivation shrinking. If availability increases with reduced wastage, it will curb inflation,” she told reporters.
The 30 new units are expected to attract investment of Rs 470 crore with Ministry grants amounting to Rs 275 crore.
“There is a need to handle 61 mt of produce annually but we only have a capacity for 31 mt so far. There’s a lot of work to be done. This sector is a huge employment generator even for unskilled workers. It can play a pivotal role for uplifting farmers who face huge challenges,” she added.
With regard to mega food parks, Badal said that of the 17 sanctioned projects, two were already operational while a third would be in a few days, taking a dig at the Congress-led UPA-II regime.
“The scheme was launched in 2008 but between then 2014, only two were operationalised. In one year, we will have three working. The results of the work done by the Ministry will be seen more clearly over the next year and a half since it takes 30 and 24 months for a food park and cold chain project to be operationalised,” she said.
The Government estimates the food processing sector to be growing at 8.4 per cent and comprised 13 per cent of factory employment in 2012-13.