Parliament Question: Agro Processing Development of Modern Infrastructure in Tamil Nadu

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2118 ANSWERED ON 12TH FEBRUARY 2026 AGRO PROCESSING DEVELOPMENT OF MODERN INFRASTRUCTURE IN TAMIL NADU

2118. SHRI SELVAM G:

SHRI C N ANNADURAI:

Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has effectively implemented the Scheme for Creation of Infrastructure for Agro Processing Development of Modern Infrastructure in Tamil Nadu and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the details of projects approved, completed and pending under the said scheme in Tamil Nadu, district-wise during the last five years along with the capacity created and funds sanctioned and released;

(c) whether a large number of small and marginal farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations

(FPOs) and rural entrepreneurs in Tamil Nadu have not been able to access the benefits of the said scheme, if so, the reasons therefor;

(d) whether delays in approvals, inadequate awareness and procedural complexities have adversely affected the establishment of modern agro-processing units and value chains in the State and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the corrective measures being taken by the Government to ensure equitable access, faster implementation and effective utilisation of agro processing infrastructure to enhance farmers’ income and reduce post-harvest losses in Tamil Nadu? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI RAVNEET SINGH)

(a) to (c): The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has been implementing a Scheme for Creation of Infrastructure for Agro Processing Clusters (APC), a component scheme of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) for development of modern infrastructure to encourage entrepreneurs to set up food processing units based on cluster approach in the country since 2017. The Scheme is demand driven. Ministry provides financial assistance in the form of grants-in-aid/subsidy to the entrepreneurs/ investors for establishing agro-processing clusters.

Applications under this scheme are invited online from prospective investors / entrepreneurs against Expression of Interest (EoI) issued by Ministry from time to time depending upon availability of funds. As per scheme guidelines Central & State PSUs/ Joint Ventures/ NGOs/Cooperatives/ Self Help Groups (SHG)/ Farmer Producer Organizations (FPO)/ Farmer Producer Companies (FPC)/ Public & Private Sector Companies/ Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP)/ Partnership Firms/ Proprietorship Firms are the eligible entities/ organisations who can apply for assistance under the APC Scheme. During last five years, Ministry has approved 2 Agro Processing Clusters in the State of Tamil Nadu under this scheme, which are at various stages of implementation. The year-wise, district-wise, category-wise details of these 2 Agro Processing Clusters is attached at Annexure.

(d): The delay in implementing the projects is mainly due to delay in obtaining statutory clearances, land acquisition, regulatory clearances, establishing market linkages and technology adoption. Project Implementing Authorities themselves have to obtain these clearances. In case of requests received from the project implementation agencies, Ministry takes up the matter with concerned departments/agencies to resolve the issues faced by the project implementation agencies for smooth implementation of the projects. Ministry ensures that Scheme Guidelines, FAQs, Expression of Interests issued from time to time are uploaded/published on the official website of the Ministry, SAMPADA Portal, and dissemination of details/facts on social media accounts of the Ministry for wide publicity. Further, whenever scheme EOIs are issued, all States and Trade Associations are also informed for wider circulation and awareness of EOI of the Ministry.

(e): Ministry regularly monitors the projects and coordinates with the project implementing agencies by conducting review meetings/site visits to assess the progress of the projects. Ministry, on the request of project implementing agencies, also takes up the matter with the concerned department of State Government and their agencies for smooth and timely implementation. The Ministry directly as well as through Project Management Agency (PMA) of the Scheme is regularly in touch with all applicants of approved projects and guides them suitably during course of implementation.ANNEXURE ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) & (c) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2118 FOR ANSWER ON 12TH FEBRUARY, 2026 REGARDING “AGRO PROCESSING DEVELOPMENT OF MODERN INFRASTRUCTURE IN TAMIL NADU” S Name Distric Category Date Proj Grant/S Total Year Total r. of the t of PEA of ect ubsidy Grant/S of Process N Proje (General/ appro cost Approve ubsidy Appr ing & o. ct SC/ST) val (In d (in Cr.) released oval Preserv Execu Cr.) (in Cr.) ation tion Capacit Agenc y y Expecte

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