What is Food processing?
- Food processing is the set of methods and techniques which are used to transform raw ingredients into finished and semi finished products.
- According to Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), if any raw product of agriculture, animal husbandry or fisheries is transformed in such a way that
- Its original physical properties undergo a change,
- The transformed product is edible and
- Has commercial value, then it comes within the domain of Food processing Industry (FPI)
Initiatives taken by Government
- Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY): It is an Central sector scheme for development of Mega Food Parks, Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure, Food Safety and Quality Assurance Infrastructure etc
- Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme (PMFME Scheme) aims at upgradation of micro Food processing units, providing seed capital to SHGs, branding and marketing support
- One District One Product (ODOP) component of PMFME aims to create specific product clusters.
- Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI) is a central sector scheme to support creation of global food manufacturing champions and support Indian brands in the international markets.
- Liberalised FDI regime: 100% FDI through automatic route for FPIs and 100% FDI through government-approval route for retail trading, including through e-commerce.
- Krishi Udan and Krishi Rail schemes have been launched to ease out freight rates enabling smooth movement of perishables