6 Schemes that would reduce food waste, benefit farmers

The scheme aims to link agricultural production to markets by using a cluster approach, implemented by an SPV. It supports the creation of infrastructure for setting up of modern food processing units in the park and connecting it with a well-established supply chain.¹ The scheme provides a capital grant of 50-75%, subject to a maximum of  $7.15 Mn per project.² Till March 2019, 42 such parks were under various stages of implementation.³

The scheme aims to provide integrated cold chain and preservation infrastructure facilities along the entire supply chain of food processing.⁴ It covers Minimal Processing Centre having weighing, sorting, grading, packing, storage and quick freezing facilities. Grant-in-aid, up to a maximum of  $1.43 Mn, is provided for 35% - 50% storage infrastructure and transport infrastructure and 50-75% value addition and processing infrastructure.⁵ Until March 2019, 299 approved cold chain projects were under various stages of implementation.⁶

The scheme aims to create and modernize processing and preservation capacities by increasing the level of processing and value addition, leading to a reduction in wastage.⁷ Under the scheme, a capital grant of 35-50%, subject to a maximum of  $0.71 Mn per project, is provided.⁸ Till December 2018, 134 projects were approved under this scheme.⁹

The scheme aims to provide effective and seamless backward and forward integration in the processed food industry. Financial assistance is provided for setting up primary processing centres, collection centres and modern retail outlets. This is supplemented with connectivity through insulated or refrigerated transport.¹⁰ The scheme provides a capital grant of 35-50%, subject to a maximum of  $0.71 Mn per project.¹¹ Till December 2018, 70 projects were approved under this scheme.¹²

The scheme aims to make India’s food and agro-processing sector have a competitive edge in the market by creating infrastructure for safety and quality assurance services.¹³ Under this scheme, the government extends financial assistance¹⁴ of 50-70% for the cost of laboratory equipment and 25-33% for civil work and 50-75% reimbursement for HACCP/ ISO Standards/Food Safety/Quality Management Systems. Till November 2018, 76 Food Testing labs were instituted under the scheme.¹⁵

The scheme aims at cluster approach based development of modern infrastructure and common facilities to encourage a group of entrepreneurs to set up food processing units.¹⁶ The scheme provides grants-in-aid of 35-50% of eligible project cost, up to a maximum of $1.43 Mn per project.¹⁷ Till December 2018, 33 projects were approved under the scheme.¹⁸