Steps Taken by the Centre to Promote Food Processing Industries in the North East

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Agriculture

07-December-2012 15:38 IST

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries in coordination with Small Farmers' Agri-Business Consortium (SFAC) under Ministry of Agriculture is implementing Mini Mission-IV under Horticulture Mission for North-East & Himalayan States. Under the Mini Mission-IV component of this scheme, assistance at higher rates i.e. @ 50% upto Rs. 4 crore for setting up of new food processing units and upto Rs. 1 crore for Upgradation/modernization of existing units is available to industries involved in processing of horticultural produce in the above States. Further, this scheme is operational during 2012-13 also. Funds under the scheme are disbursed through SFAC to the beneficiaries.

Small Farmers' Agri-Business Consortium (SFAC) provides soft loan under Venture Capital Assistance Scheme in the country including North-Eastern Region. Under this scheme, venture capital for agri-projects upto 10% of the total project cost or 26% of the total project equity or Rs. 75 lakhs, whichever is lower is provided.

Under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme – National Mission on Food Processing (NMFP), the Ministry of Food Processing Industries extends financial assistance to food processing units including fruits & vegetables units in the form of grants-in-aid to the implementing agencies / entrepreneurs @25% of the cost of plant and machinery and technical civil works subject to a maximum of Rs. 50.00 lakhs in general areas, or @33.33% subject to maximum of Rs. 75.00 lakhs in difficult areas such as Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and North-Eastern States, A&N Islands, Lakshadweep and ITDP areas in the country. The same pattern of assistance is available under NMFP through States / UT Governments.

This information was given by Dr. Charan Das Mahanta, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.

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