Puri calls for adoption of modern technology
The Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI) will facilitate expansion of processing capacity to generate processed food output of Rs.33,494 crore by 2026-27, according to Sudhir Sitapati, Co-Chairman, CII National Committee on Food processing Industries.
Such improvement in the industry will result in meeting the stipulated investment threshold by the participating industry, thereby significantly contributing to value addition and reduction in the food wastage, Sitapati, also the and Executive Director – Foods & Refreshments, HUL, said on 31 Mar 2021 as the industry welcomed PLISFPI approved by the cabinet recently.
Given that the need of the hour is to move up the value chain in processed food products by establishing efficient backward linkages to contribute to nation’s food security as well as contribute towards improving the income level of the farmers, the PLISFPI will help create newer markets, added Mayank Jalan, Co-Chairman, CII National Committee on Allied sectors in Agriculture.
It will ensure remunerative prices of farm produce and higher income to farmers, according to Jalan, also CMD, Keventer Agro.
The scheme will enable the creation of modern infrastructure with efficient supply chain management from farm gate to retail, Suresh Narayanan, Chairman, CII National Committee on Food processing Industries.
“This will create an enabling ecosystem for aggregation, collaboration and access to export markets,” said Narayanan, also CMD, Nestle India.
However, adoption of modern technology or good production practice for value added or processed food products are not adequate for increasing production and their export without effective marketing promotion activities, said Sanjiv Puri, Chairman and Managing Director ITC Limited.
The PLI scheme will play a key enabling role in supporting the branding, marketing, initiatives to help acquire new markets, according to Puri, Chairman, CII National Council on Agriculture.
CII believes that PLISFPI will catapult the Indian food exporters since the Food processing sector plays a pivotal role in creation of off-farm employment, increasing farmers’ income, reducing post-harvest losses of agricultural and allied sector produce through investments in preservation and processing infrastructure for value addition in the country.
The PLISFPI is supporting the creation of global food manufacturing champions as well as the Indian brands of food products in the global markets with an outlay of Rs.10,900 crore.
With a significant potential for enhancing value added exports, there is enough scope to increase the export of more value added and processed food such as ready to eat, ready to drink, ready to cook in all segments like meat, fish, F&V and even grain-based high-end cookies of millets, traditional Indian food/vegan food, that is in demand overseas by the Indian diaspora, elaborated Sanjiv Puri.
There are a host of initiatives that are already underway to promote value addition and better utilisation of agricultural produce.
These are: minimise wastage and losses at all stages in the food processing chain by development of infrastructure for storage, transportation and processing of agro produce; induction of modern technology in the food processing industries; encourage R&D in food processing for products and process development; provide policy support, promotional initiative and facilities to promote value added exports and create the critical infrastructure to fill the gaps in the supply chain from farm to consumer, by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI). #incentives #investment #production #scheme #food #agriculture /fiinews.com
