New Delhi, Aug 1 (NationPress) In a significant move to bolster the food processing infrastructure and align with the vision of Viksit Bharat, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) is vigorously promoting the establishment and growth of food processing units nationwide, as reported to Parliament on Friday.

This initiative is being facilitated through several pivotal schemes, including the Central Sector initiatives—Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY), the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI), and the centrally sponsored Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme, as stated by Ravneet Singh Bittu, Minister of State for Food Processing Industries, in a written statement to the Rajya Sabha.

As of June 30, under the PMFME Scheme, MoFPI has sanctioned 144,517 proposals across the nation. Additionally, 170 proposals have been approved under PLISFPI during the same period.

According to the Minister, under PMKSY, MoFPI has given the green light to 1,134 food processing projects, which include 41 Mega Food Parks and 395 Cold Chain projects across the country until June 30.

The ministry's objective through these schemes is to enhance preservation and processing capacities, minimize post-harvest losses, develop value-added products, introduce innovative technologies, improve productivity and efficiency in food processing, promote entrepreneurship, provide job opportunities, and facilitate skill development, thereby boosting economies and contributing to the inclusive growth of the country.

Through these initiatives, the ministry offers financial assistance for establishing food processing infrastructure nationwide, including in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh.

Many of the projects approved by MoFPI are located in rural areas, thereby supporting local farmers.

Specifically, under the PMFME Scheme, the ministry has approved 261 proposals in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh.

This district has been recognized for the Banana Cluster under the Operation Greens component of PMKSY, and Banana has also been designated as One District One Product (ODOP) under the PMFME Scheme.

The ministry provides financial backing in the form of grants or subsidies for establishing food processing projects, thereby creating both processing and preservation infrastructure facilities.

The facilities developed under the component schemes of PMKSY aid in adding value to raw farm produce, thereby enabling higher prices.