Boosting Food Processing and Storage Infrastructure in India

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) is a government initiative aimed at developing modern infrastructure and efficient supply chain management to boost the food processing sector in India. The scheme aims to reduce agricultural wastage, increase the processing level, improve farmers' returns, and create rural employment opportunities. PMKSY offers credit-linked financial assistance to entrepreneurs to set up food processing infrastructure, including cold storage and refrigerated vehicles. The Scheme for Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure, a sub-scheme under PMKSY, has supported development of several cold chain projects in Telangana, significantly reducing wastage in the fruits, vegetables, dairy, and fisheries sectors. 

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has implemented PMKSY since 2016-17 to improve post-harvest infrastructure and processing facilities. The government has also approved an Action Plan for constructing steel silos under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to modernize storage facilities, with a total capacity of 24.25 Lakh metric tonnes (LMT) under development. Additionally, the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in 2020, facilitates loans for establishing cold storage, warehouses, and processing units. This initiative aims to reduce crop wastage and enhance value addition across the country. 

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.