(a) whether the Government is aware that foodgrains, vegetables and fruits face huge wastage every year before reaching the consumers for want of storages/cold storages;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;
(c) the details of the number of cold storages units in the country till date, Statewise;
(d) whether the Government has been able to attract substantial proposals to its credit linked back ended subsidy scheme for creating post harvest infrastructure;
(e) if so, the details thereof; and
(f) whether the Government is considering to set up more cold storages during the on- going 12th Five Year Plan period, if so, the details thereof, State-wise? |
| ANSWER |
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI MOHANBHAI KUNDARIA)
(a) & (b): A study published in 2012 by Central Institute of Post Harvest Engineering & Technology (CIPHET), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), estimated that quantum of quantitative harvest and post harvest losses of agricultural produce including foodgrains, fruits and vegetables were in the range of 1.1% to 18.05%. These losses occur on account of inadequate supply chain, low level of processing, lack of infrastructure and natural calamities. The details of harvest and post harvest losses of major agricultural crops and commodities estimated by this study are at Annexure-I.
(c) to (f): As per reports, there are 6891 number of cold storages with capacity of 318.2 lakh tones in the country. The State wise details are at Annexure-II. During last three years, 545 cold storage projects with capacity of 24.16 lakh metric tones have been established under credit linked back ended schemes.
During 12th Five Year Plan, Government is implementing Mission for Integrated Develop- ment of Horticulture (MIDH) under which credit linked assistance is available to encourage private investment for creation of post-harvest infrastructure including establishment and modernization of cold storages, processing units, pack houses, pre-cooling units, controlled atmosphere storage, reefer vans and setting up of ripening chambers.
Besides, Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MFPI) is implementing schemes to provide integrated cold chain and processing facilities from farm gate to consumers. Further, Ministry of Commerce through Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) also provides assistance for cost of cold chain units related to export activity. |
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