Boost for food processing industry in Trichy district

To enhance food processing industries, the District Food Processing Mission has been established for the first time in Trichy district under the National Mission on Food Processing (NMFP) scheme. The schemes that would provide subsidies to entrepreneurs are expected to boost food processing industries and employment opportunities in the district.
The objective of the scheme is to decentralize implementation of the schemes from the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MFPI). Both the Government of Tamil Nadu and the MFPI launched the NMFP scheme during the 12th Five Year Plan. The scheme is proposed to be implemented as a new centrally sponsored scheme (CSS) with financial assistance in the ratio of 75:25 by the Government of India and the state government.

As far as Trichy is concerned, the potential for running food processing centres and cold storage facilities are high. But food processing industries and facilities are numerable in the district. Existing entrepreneurs had to invest on their own or wait for financial assistance from banks. With the introduction of the NMFP scheme here, food processing entrepreneurs can avail themselves of financial assistance easily.
Under this scheme for the year 2012-13, entrepreneurs can avail themselves of subsidies of up to Rs 50 lakh for upgrade, setting up, modernisation and expansion of food processing industries.
Deputy director of agri-business Annamalai told TOI, " The food processing of fruit, vegetables, milk products, meat, poultry, fisheries, cereal, oil seeds, flour millets, pulses, spices, coconut and mushrooms are allowed under this scheme."
Another scheme has been designed to boost cold chain facilities and reefer vehicles for other than horticulture products. The scheme would provide financial assistance up to Rs 10 crore to entrepreneurs. As of now, there are very few cold storage facilities in the district.
R Alamelu, proprietor of Sree Sai Self-help Group that produces value-added products from banana, said, "If there are more cold storage facilities, we can think of expanding our business. We can provide more employment opportunities in the sector.
The mission also assists in the human resource development (HRD) of the food processing sector. The schemes are available for establishment of infrastructure to offer degrees, diplomas and certificate courses in food processing technology and for entrepreneurship development. The schemes for promotional activities are also available.
Entrepreneurs can apply for the scheme through the District Food Processing Mission Committee headed by the district collector of Trichy. Applications will be scrutinised by the state mission director.