FOOD PROCESSING SECTOR

 In India, the food sector has emerged as a high-growth and high-profit sector, given its immense potential for value addition, particularly in the Food Processing Industry.

The processed food market, currently valued at USD 322 billion in 2016, is expected to grow to US $543 billion by 2020 at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 14.6 per cent. For the next 5 years the food industry is expected to grow to US $958 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 12 per cent to account for increasing saturation of the market. It is regarded as the sunrise sector.

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries has been implementing several schemes under the umbrella of the ‘PRADHAN MANTRI KISAN SAMPADA YOJANA’ (formerly known as SAMPADA – Scheme for Agro-Marine Processing and Development of Agro-Processing Clusters.

PRADHAN MANTRI KISAN SAMPADA YOJANA

It is an umbrella scheme incorporating ongoing schemes of the Ministry like Mega Food Parks, Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure, Food Safety and Quality Assurance Infrastructure, etc. and also new schemes like Infrastructure for Agro-processing Clusters, Creation of Backward and Forward Linkages, Creation / Expansion of Food Processing & Preservation Capacities.: The objective of PMKSY is to supplement agriculture, modernize processing and decrease Agri-Waste.

Schemes to be implemented Under PMKSY the following schemes are to be implemented.

• Mega Food Parks
• Integrated Cold Chain, Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure
• Creation/Expansion of Food Processing/Preservation Capacities
• Infrastructure for Agro Processing Clusters
• Scheme for Creation of Backward and Forward Linkages
• Food Safety & Quality Assurance Infrastructure
• Human Resources and Institutions

APEDA

APEDA is an apex body authorised under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India established to promote the export of agricultural commodities and processed food products.  Objective of ensuring double exports and doubling farmer’s income ensure greater involvement of the State governments for effective implementation of Agri Export Policy.

10. SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURE

Sustainable Agriculture involves the processes that would enable us to meet the current and long-term societal needs for food, fibre and other resources, while maximising benefits through the conservation of natural resources and maintenance of ecosystem functions.

The priority of exalting human capabilities at the individual (farmer) level and ensuring food security at the national level, through efficient and equitable use of resources are compatible with the concept of „Sustainable Agriculture‟.

Organic Farming

Organic farming is a method of crop and livestock production that involves much more than choosing not to use pesticides, fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, antibiotics and growth hormones.

Organic production is a holistic system designed to optimize the productivity and fitness of diverse communities within the Agro-ecosystem, including soil Organisms, Plants, Livestock and People.

The principal goal of organic production is to develop enterprises that are sustainable and harmonious with the environment.

Objectives of the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP)

The Ministry of Industries and Commerce is implementing the NPOP since 2001 with the following objectives:

• To provide the means of evaluation of certification programme for organic agriculture and products as per the approved criteria.
• To accredit certification programmes of Certification Bodies seeking accreditation.
• To facilitate the certification of organic products in conformity with the prescribed standards.
• To facilitate certification of organic products in conformity with the importing countries organic standards as per equivalence agreement between the two countries or as per importing country requirements.
• To encourage the development of organic farming and organic processing
• Financial and technical support for setting up organic input production and bio fertilizers, vermiculture and bio-pesticides.
• Biological assessment and soil health
• Skill training and development

The Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) is the implementation agency for the NPOP. APEDA is providing assistance to the exporters of organic products under various components of its export promotion scheme.