Parliament Question: Cultivation of Banana in Bahraich

**Executive Summary** This document is a response from the Minister of State for Food Processing Industries to questions raised in Lok Sabha regarding establishing processing units for banana products in Bahraich Lok Sabha Constituency. The response details the existing schemes and their application, specifically the "Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY)," and clarifies that the ministry does not set up food processing industries directly. The response was delivered on December 4th, 2025. **Key Points / Main Content** * **Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY):** * The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) implements PMKSY, a central sector umbrella scheme, since 2017-18. * Under Operation Greens component of PMKSY, financial assistance is provided: * 35% of eligible project cost for General Areas. * 50% for projects in Difficult Areas. * Also 50% for projects involving SC/ST, FPOs, and SHGs. * Assistance is for value chain development of 10 fruit crops, 11 vegetable crops, and shrimp in identified production clusters. * **Banana Production Clusters:** * The Ministry has identified 8 Banana clusters across 23 districts in 5 states based on horticultural production data (see Annexure). * Gorakhpur, Kushi Nagar, Maharajganj, Fatehpur, and Kaushambi districts have been identified as banana production clusters in Uttar Pradesh. * **Role of Ministry:** * The Ministry does not set up food processing industries directly. * The Ministry encourages the growth of the food processing sector by implementing various schemes under PMKSY to develop food processing infrastructure and set up food processing units. * Schemes are demand-driven; proposals are invited through Expression of Interest (EOI). * Proposals are scrutinized and approved for financial assistance based on scheme guidelines. * **Current Status:** * The Ministry has not sanctioned any project for Banana processing in these clusters in Uttar Pradesh under Operation Greens scheme so far. **Impact Analysis** **Stakeholder: Banana Farmers in Bahraich Lok Sabha Constituency** * **Impact:** The response clarifies that while the government doesn't directly establish processing units, it offers financial assistance through PMKSY for projects that aim to improve the value chain of banana production, including processing. However, no projects have been sanctioned specifically for banana processing in Uttar Pradesh. * **Action Required:** Explore opportunities to form or participate in FPOs or SHGs to potentially access the higher rate of financial assistance (50%). Submit proposals through Expression of Interest (EOI) for projects that meet the scheme guidelines of PMKSY. **Stakeholder: Food Processing Industry Investors** * **Impact:** The document outlines the government's approach to supporting the food processing industry, particularly for banana products, through financial assistance under the PMKSY scheme. * **Action Required:** Review the PMKSY scheme guidelines and consider submitting proposals for establishing or upgrading banana processing units, especially in the identified production clusters. **Stakeholder: State Government of Uttar Pradesh** * **Impact:** The state government is part of the consultation process for identifying production clusters. The identified banana clusters within the state could benefit from increased investment in food processing infrastructure. * **Action Required:** Collaborate with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries and encourage local stakeholders to submit proposals for projects that align with the PMKSY scheme guidelines.

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