Mega Food Park is a scheme of the Ministry of Food Processing (part of the Government of India) with the aim of establishing a "direct linkage from farm to processing and then to consumer markets" through a network of collection centres and primary processing centres.[1] Its purpose was to increase processing of perishables from 6% to 20% and to increase India's share in global food trade by at least 3% up to year 2015.
According to an estimate,[2] the Indian food industry was to grow from $200 million USD to $310 million USD in 2015 by this plan.
- Government provides grants up to Rs 50 crores for each food park to a consortium of companies.
- 30-35 food processing units are expected to be established.
- Collective investment of companies is expected to be at least 250 crores.
- A turnover of 400-500 crore and employment generation of at least 30000 from each mega food park is expected.
A total of 42 Mega Food Parks have been sanctioned so far by MoFPI in six phases. These MFPs are to ensure backward linkages to the farmers, SHGs, JLVs etc. & enhance farmer income. Each MFP is supposed to connect with 25000 farmers. Government has envisaged building quality labs at each of the food parks as well
Status
A sanction of 42 food parks has been planned, out of which 25 in various states have already been sanctioned[1][3] with 17 pending, expression of interest is available from companies with the government. According to the Government, as of October 2016, 8 mega food parks have become operational and all 42 would be operational in the next 2 years.[4][5]
References
