New Delhi, Feb 10
The Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure Scheme, run by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), has helped reduce wastage of vegetables, dairy, and fish products, according to a study by NABARD.
What is the PMKSY Scheme?
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) was launched in 2016-17 to improve food storage and processing facilities. The goal is to reduce food wastage, increase profits for farmers, and create jobs, especially in rural areas.
Under this scheme, businesses get financial support to build cold storage units, refrigerated trucks, and food processing centers. This helps keep food fresh for longer, reduces spoilage, and improves the supply chain from farms to markets.
How the Scheme is Helping
- Better Storage: The scheme has led to the construction of cold storages and refrigerated transport systems, helping keep vegetables, milk, and fish fresh.
- Less Wastage: Farmers and food businesses lose less produce because of improved storage and processing facilities.
- More Jobs: New food processing units create employment opportunities, especially in villages.
- Higher Farmer Incomes: With better storage, farmers can sell their products at better prices instead of throwing away spoiled goods.
Other Government Efforts
Apart from PMKSY, the government has introduced the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) in 2020 under the Atmanirbhar Bharat package. This fund helps businesses get loans to build cold storage, warehouses, and food processing plants to further reduce wastage and increase value addition.
Upgrading Food Storage Facilities
The Food Corporation of India (FCI) is also working on modernizing storage systems by building steel silos (large storage units) through public-private partnerships (PPP). Currently, 24.25 lakh metric tonnes of silo storage is being developed across India, with 17.75 lakh metric tonnes already completed.
Additionally, more storage units are being built under a phased approach to further improve food storage and supply.
The PMKSY cold chain scheme and other government initiatives are helping reduce food wastage, increase farmer earnings, and boost employment. With better storage and processing facilities, India’s food industry is becoming more efficient and profitable, ensuring that more food reaches consumers instead of going to waste.
