Parliament Question: Operational Status of Agro-Processing Clusters in Punjab

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6331 ANSWERED ON 02ND APRIL, 2026 OPERATIONAL STATUS OF AGRO-PROCESSING CLUSTERS IN PUNJAB.

6331. SHRI MALVINDER SINGH KANG:

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

(a) the total number of micro food processing enterprises assisted in Punjab under the PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme and the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) during the last three financial years from 2023-24 to till date;

(b) the current operational status of sanctioned Agro-Processing Clusters and Integrated Cold Chain projects in Rupnagar, Hoshiarpur and SBS Nagar districts, along with the details of central grants-in-aid released for these projects as on January 2026;

(c) whether any assessment has been conducted regarding the adequacy of Primary Processing Centres (PPCs) at the farm-gate level in the Shivalik region to reduce post- harvest losses of perishable crops and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the steps taken to strengthen One District One Product (ODOP) clusters in Punjab to enable direct integration of local farmers with domestic retail supply chains and export markets? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI RAVNEET SINGH)

(a): Under the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme, 2137 micro food processing enterprises have been approved in the state of Punjab from 2023-24 and upto 31.12.2025.

Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has approved 4 projects under various component schemes of Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) in the state of Punjab from 2023-24 and upto 31.12.2025.

(b): As on 31.12.2025, MoFPI has approved 3 projects of Creation of Infrastructure for Agro- processing Clusters (APC) and 24 projects of Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure (Cold Chain) under PMKSY in the state of Punjab. No project has been approved under APC in Rupnagar, Hoshiarpur and SBS Nagar districts. The details of sanctioned Cold Chain projects in Rupnagar, Hoshiarpur and SBS Nagar districts are as under- (Rs. in Cr) Approved Released Status Date of Project Grant-in- Grant-in- Project Name District Approval Cost aid aid Alchemist Rupnagar 27.02.2021 40.71 3.05 3.05 Operational Foods Ltd A.S.Frozen SBS Nagar 29.10.2018 17.31 6.35 6.35 Operational FoodsP. Star Agro Hoshiarpur 23.11.2020 16.12 5.11 5.11 Operational Products

(c) & (d): So far, no such assessment has been conducted by MoFPI regarding the adequacy of Primary Processing Centres (PPCs) at the farm-gate level in the Shivalik region. However, MoFPI estimates post-harvest losses from time to time for various agri-produces in the country through commissioning of studies based on primary surveys. Two studies were commissioned by the Ministry through (i) Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) -Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering & Technology (CIPHET), 2015 with reference year 2012-14 and

(ii) NABARD Consultancy Service Pvt. Ltd (NABCONS), 2022 with reference year 2020-22.

In order to promote local industries, One District One Product (ODOP) approach under PMFME Scheme has been adopted to reap the benefit of scale in terms of procurement of inputs, availing common services and marketing of products. It provides the framework for value chain development and alignment of support infrastructure. Under PMFME Scheme, ODOP products for all the 23 districts of the Punjab has been identified.

Schemes implemented by MoFPI aim towards creation of modern infrastructure with efficient supply chain management from farm gate to retail outlet which includes storage, transportation, value addition etc., thereby enhancing productivity, reducing wastage of agricultural produce, reduction in post-harvest losses, enhancing productivity, increasing the processing level and enhancing the export of the processed foods.

Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under Central Sector Scheme (CSS) provides financial assistance to facilitate the export of agri/horticulture processed food products to exporters on PAN India basis. Financial assistance is provided under Agriculture and Processed Foods Export Promotion Scheme of APEDA for the 15th Finance Commission Cycle (2021-22 to 2025-26) in three broad areas, namely Development of export infrastructure, Quality Development and Market Development.

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