Ministry targets increase global food trade from 1.5% to 3% in 2015

New Delhi, May 14 (UNI) The Rajya Sabha was today informed that the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has in its Vision Document 2015 envisaged increase in share of the processed food sector in global food trade from 1.5 per cent to three per cent by 2015.

In a written reply, Minister of State of the MoFPI Subodh Kant Sahai said that his Ministry, under its various 10th Plan Schemes has extended financial assistance to Government organisations, PSUs, R&D Institutes, Universities and NGOs for growth and promotion of various processed food sector including fruits and vegetables for domestic and export markets.

Such assistance is provided to all States, Union Territories including Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Financial assistance to the processed food exporters is also being provided by APEDA under its various schemes including Infrastructure Development, Market Development, Quality Development, Research Development, Market Development Assistance and Transport Assisistance, he added.

Mr Sahai further mentioned that wastage of fruits and vegetables is estimated to be of the order of 22 per cent due to such inadequate facilities.

The Minister also said that during the XI Plan, the MInistry is working on launching a revamped comprehensive Cold Chain, Infrastructure Scheme for creating integrated cold chain infrastructure at different levels - farm level primary processing centre-cum- cold chain, collection/aggregation centres and Strategic Didstribution Centres.

The initiative being undertaken by the Ministry are aimed at filling the gaps in the suppley chain, strengthening of cold chain infrastructure leading to overall development of food processing industries and reduction in wastages.

On the question of chemicals and other compounds used in pepsi, cola, coca cola and other cold drinks of this nature, Mr Sahai replied that the information is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House.

UNI