Project Reports

India ranks first in the world in production of fruits and second in vegetables, accounting roughly 10 and 15 per cent, respectively, of total global production. India have a strong and dynamic food processing sector playing a vital role in diversifying the agricultural sector, improving value addition opportunities and creating surplus food for agro-food products. Presently, a mere 2.2 per cent of fruits and vegetables are processed, even as the country ranks second in the world in terms of production. This is comparatively low when compared to other countries like Brazil (30 per cent), USA (70 per cent) and Malaysia (82 per cent).The National policy aims to increase the percentage of food being processed in the country to 10 per cent by 2010 and 25 per cent by 2025.

Major vegetables grown are Potato, Onion, Tomato, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Bean, Egg Plants, Cucumber, Gherkin, Peas, Garlic and okra. The major fruits grown in India are Mangos, Grapes, Apple, Apricots, Orange, Banana Fresh, Avocados, Guava, Litchi, Papaya and Water Melons. Mango, accounts for 40 percent of the national fruit production and India is one of the leading exporters of fresh table grapes to the global market. The changing food habits are discernible. There has been a positive growth in ready –to-serve beverages, fruit juices and pulps, processed fruits and vegetables products, i.e., dried or preserved and dehydrated vegetables and fruits such as sauces, preserved onions, cucumbers and gherkins, green pepper in brine, dehydrated garlic and ginger powder, dried garlic and ginger, tomato products, pickles and chutneys, processed mushrooms and truffles and curried vegetables.

Nearly one third of our horticultural produce, especially fruits and vegetables are wasted, mainly on account of poor cold storage and other storage facilities. Wastage of fruits and vegetables due to poor post-harvest management and lack of cold chain facilities have been estimated to cost up to Rs 500 billion annually. The country also experiences wide fluctuations in prices of horticultural produce, particularly potatoes and onions. The cold storages will help boost exports of agricultural and allied produce, marine produce etc.

Incentives to build cold-storage facilities will bring investment, cut food wastage and smoothen the supply chain in the world's second biggest producer of fruits and vegetables. With a view to ensuring faster development of cold storage capacity and to encourage entrepreneurs to invest more in this sector a new credit-linked capital subsidy scheme for construction of cold storages and godowns. The scheme would be implemented by NABARD/NCDC/NHB. National Horticulture Board is providing capital subsidy to entrepreneurs for construction, expansion and modernization of cold storages for horticulture products. This scheme is to promote setting up of cold storages in the country for reducing post harvest losses. A subsidy of 25% of the project costsubject to a maximum of Rs.50 lakh per project will be availed under this scheme. However, for the projects in the northeastern States, maximum subsidy admissible would be Rs.60 lakh @ 33.33% of the project cost.Cold Storages including controlled Atmosphere (CA) and Modified Atmosphere (MA) Stores, pre-cooling units and other Storages for onion etc.

Naturally this scheme will attract new investment in the sector. This move is a good decision for agriculture sector which is struggling with food wastage problem. Cold storage facilities are limited and the focus of the recent budget on bringing in more investment will boost warehousing and cold storage sector.