Parliament Question: Reduction in post-harvest losses and expansion of food processing capacity

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3263 ANSWERED ON 20TH MARCH, 2026 REDUCTION IN POST-HARVEST LOSSES AND EXPANSION OF FOOD PROCESSING CAPACITY 3263. SMT. MAYA NAROLIYA: Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state: (a) whether Government has assessed post-harvest losses of agricultural produce at various stages of the supply chain, if so, the details thereof; (b) the steps taken to strengthen cold chain, storage, and transportation infrastructure, particularly in rural and aspirational districts of Madhya Pradesh; (c) the progress achieved so far in setting up food processing units and agro-processing clusters under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY); and (d) the measures taken to encourage private investment, startups and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in the food processing sector? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI RAVNEET SINGH) (a): The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (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. As per the latest study conducted by NABCONS, commodity wise estimate of post-harvest losses of the crops covered at various stages are placed at Annexure-I. (b) & (c): MoFPI implements Central Sector umbrella scheme – Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) since 2017-18 across the country. The components scheme under PMKSY are (i) Integrated Cold Chain & Value Addition Infrastructure (ii) Creation/ Expansion of Food Processing and Preservation Capacities (CEFPPC scheme), (iii) Operation Greens (OG scheme), (iv) Creation of Infrastructure for Agro Processing Clusters (APC scheme), (v) Mega Food Parks (MFP scheme- discontinued w.e.f. 01.04.2021) and (vi) Creation of Backward and Forward Linkages (CBFL scheme- discontinued w.e.f. 01.04.2021). Under these component schemes, MoFPI provides financial support in the form of grants-in-aid/ subsidy for setting up of food processing projects thereby creating both processing and preservation infrastructure facilities including cold chain infrastructure across the country including the state of Madhya Pradesh. The facilities created under the component schemes help in preservation & processing of raw farm produce and efficient transport of raw & finished processed food products. The schemes are demand driven and proposals are invitedby floating Expression of Interest from time to time based on availability of funds. Under the schemes, funds are not allocated state-wise/sector –wise. Under PMKSY, a total of 51 projects have been approved which are expected to create preservation and processing capacity of 15.46 LMT/annum in state of Madhya Pradesh. As of 31st December, 2025, out of 51 projects, 33 projects have been completed/operational and grant in aid equivalent to Rs 266.93 Crore has been released in state of Madhya Pradesh including rural and aspirational districts. Further, the progress of various components of PMKSY are placed at Annexure-II. (d): Under the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI), the Ministry has taken several measures to encourage private investment and growth of the food processing sector. The incentives are linked to achievement of incremental sales over the base year, thereby encouraging investment in modern processing facilities, scaling up of operations and strengthening of food processing value chains. Under Category-I of the Scheme, applicants are also required to undertake minimum stipulated investment, including investment in new plant & machinery and associated infrastructure. The Scheme also includes components covering innovative/organic products of MSMEs and a dedicated component for millet-based products including participation of MSMEs. Through these provisions, the Scheme promotes private sector participation, investment in food processing infrastructure and value addition of agricultural produce. Further, private sector entities interested is setting up of food processing units including start-ups and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) can avail the other schemes implemented by MoFPI which include PMKSY and PMFME. *****ANNEXURE-I ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3263 FOR ANSWER ON 20TH MARCH, 2026 ON “REDUCTION IN POST-HARVEST LOSSES AND EXPANSION OF FOOD PROCESSING CAPACITY” Commodity-wise estimate of post-harvest losses of the crops covered at various stages Farm Operations Market Level Assessment Overall total Total Categor Crops Total loss losses Retailer Processi Transpo Loss in y Harvesting Collection Packaging Storage Transport in farm Godown Wholesalers s ng Unit rt Market operations level Paddy 1.42 0.42 0.13 0.40 0.1 4.16 0.06 0.23 0.03 0.16 0.12 0.61 4.77 Wheat 1.44 0.33 0.01 0.29 0.1 3.61 0.02 0.13 0.05 0.28 0.08 0.56 4.17 Cereals Maize 0.9 0.37 0.11 0.17 0.12 3.22 0.003 0.29 0.14 0.09 0.14 0.67 3.89 Bajra 0.97 0.29 0.25 0.31 0.26 3.59 0.13 0.12 0.07 0.13 0.32 0.78 4.37 Sorghum 1.55 0.33 0.25 0.23 0.13 4.75 0.05 0.76 0.16 0.02 0.19 1.17 5.92 Pigeon 1.1 0.28 0.18 0.52 0.21 4.67 0.12 0.1 0.15 0.35 0.27 0.99 5.65 Pulses Pea Chickpea 1.49 1.02 0.19 0.21 0.27 5.89 0.23 0.11 0.12 0.09 0.3 0.85 6.74 Green 1.81 0.69 0.19 0.36 0.11 5.3 0.02 0.33 0.29 0.13 0.12 0.89 6.19 Gram Black 1.44 0.77 0.21 0.51 0.13 4.95 0.03 0.24 0.23 0.14 0.23 0.88 5.83 Gram Oilseeds Mustard 1.67 0.41 0.09 0.07 0.19 4.08 0.05 0.04 0.03 0.03 0.23 0.38 4.46 Cottonseed 1.81 0.27 0.07 0.07 0.17 2.47 0.01 0.22 0.03 0.03 0.11 0.4 2.87 Soybean 2.68 0.88 0.44 0.78 0.25 6.58 0.11 0.32 0.18 0.21 0.1 0.93 7.51 Safflower 1.04 0.4 0.17 0.02 0.16 2.66 0.02 0.15 0.04 0.07 0.12 0.4 3.06 Sunflower 0.91 0.38 0.12 0.05 0.1 3.3 0.02 0.17 0.04 0.74 0.11 1.08 4.38 Groundnut 1.89 0.49 0.14 0.08 0.13 4.7 0.05 0.39 0.08 0.34 0.17 1.03 5.73 Apple 3.55 0.01 0.02 0.05 0.62 7.87 0.01 0.39 0.17 0.16 0.91 1.64 9.51 Banana 1.45 0.3 0.17 0.04 1.41 5.17 0.06 1.00 0.4 0.01 0.93 2.40 7.57 Fruits Citrus 1.12 0.23 0.35 0.98 0.93 5.53 0.04 0.58 0.63 0.02 0.91 2.18 7.71 Grapes 1.53 0.15 0.06 0.5 0.42 5.09 0.02 0.49 0.9 0.07 0.57 2.05 7.15 Guava 5.05 0.45 0.31 0.45 0.73 11.59 - 1.69 3.12 1.31 1.04 3.46 15.05 Mango 1.8 0.29 0.04 0.31 0.85 6.03 0.4 1.03 0.08 0.08 0.98 2.5 8.53 Papaya 1.31 0.45 0.3 0.21 0.84 3.77 0.02 0.54 1.58 0.05 0.63 2.82 6.59Sapota 2.31 0.32 0.31 0.04 1.28 6.22 0.17 0.83 0.97 0.04 1.30 3.32 9.53 Pineapple 2.09 0.08 0.03 0.08 0.42 4.22 0.07 0.58 0.52 0.13 0.5 1.8 6.02 Pomegranate 1.39 0.19 0.22 0.3 0.27 4.09 0.15 0.67 0.8 0.12 1.00 2.73 6.82 Muskmelon 1.52 0.29 0.33 0.07 0.74 4.12 0.02 0.58 1.29 - 0.82 2.71 6.83 Cabbage 1.39 0.34 0.34 0.15 0.84 5.83 0.07 0.7 1.42 0.01 0.12 2.32 8.15 Cauliflower 1.79 0.21 0.33 0.07 0.85 5.76 0.05 0.64 0.71 0.01 0.73 2.13 7.89 Vegeta Green pea 1.93 0.51 0.13 0.005 0.40 4.67 - 0.5 0.68 0.04 0.54 1.76 6.43 bles Mushroom 0.64 0.27 0.15 0.28 0.35 6.21 - 0.36 0.3 0.32 0.99 7.2 Onion 2.48 0.39 0.12 0.91 0.4 5.31 0.34 0.69 0.57 0.01 0.35 1.96 7.26 Potato 2.13 0.22 0.04 0.1 0.52 5.1 0.13 0.28 0.1 0.03 0.32 0.86 5.96 Tomato 2.92 0.61 0.33 0.59 0.82 8.37 - 0.93 1.1 0.13 1.09 3.25 11.61 Tapioca 1.19 0.25 0.08 0.26 0.55 3.39 - 0.4 0.47 0.16 0.45 1.48 4.87 Bottle 1.95 0.45 0.27 0.21 0.68 4.69 - 0.69 0.82 - 0.81 2.32 7.01 gourd Brinjal 2.25 0.48 0.26 0.32 0.54 4.75 - 0.92 1.19 - 0.54 2.66 7.41 Beans 1.11 0.47 0.3 0.26 0.31 3.68 0.12 1.01 0.73 - 1.57 3.43 7.11 Radish 2.24 0.1 0.47 0.11 0.11 3.76 - 0.71 0.72 1.07 2.5 6.46 Capsicum 1.41 0.13 0.17 0.005 0.33 2.6 - 1.05 0.73 - 0.77 2.55 5.15 Okra 1.5 0.31 0.14 0.17 0.49 3.76 - 0.82 0.87 - 0.56 2.25 6.01 Areca nut 1.18 0.28 0.12 0.25 0.27 3.58 0.01 0.4 0.03 0.16 0.23 0.83 4.41 Cashew nut 1.36 0.35 - 0.02 0.04 3.11 0 0.14 0.02 0.26 0.19 0.61 3.72 Plantatio Coconut 0.9 0.32 0.21 0.55 0.19 2.85 0.15 0.13 0.21 0.23 0.31 1 3.86 n crops & spices Sugarcane 1.62 1.26 - - 1.31 5.63 - - - 0.7 1.01 1.71 7.33 Black pepper 0.53 0.2 0.02 0.01 0.02 1.11 0.01 0.07 0.07 0.02 0.01 0.19 1.29 Chilli 1.07 0.78 0.03 0.93 0.17 5.2 0.08 0.35 0.41 _ 0.06 0.91 6.11 Coriander 1.97 0.69 0.13 0.06 0.12 4.72 0 0.16 0.1 0 0.33 0.6 5.32 Turmeric 1.74 0.26 0.17 0.06 0.33 3.78 0.49 1.09 0.64 - 0.89 1.57 5.36 Egg - 1.52 1.1 0.24 0.3 4.4 0.05 0.39 0.44 - 0.39 1.63 6.03 Livestoc Inland fish 1.63 0.37 0.16 0.08 0.14 3.8 - 0.22 0.7 - 0.14 1.06 4.86 k Marine fish 5.49 0.56 0.01 - 0.42 7 0.19 0.57 0.21 0.27 0.52 1.76 8.76 produce Meat 1.43 - - - - 1.43 - 0.38 0.25 0.24 0.02 0.91 2.34 Poultry meat 2.51 - - - - 2.51 - 1.83 0.92 0.36 0.02 3.12 5.63 Milk 0.25 0.08 - - 0.21 0.54 - - 0.05 0.17 0.12 0.33 0.87 Source: NABCONS Report, 2022 *****ANNEXURE-II ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) & (c) OF RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3263 FOR ANSWER ON 20TH MARCH, 2026 ON “REDUCTION IN POST-HARVEST LOSSES AND EXPANSION OF FOOD PROCESSING CAPACITY” Details of Projects under different sub-schemes of PMKSY as on 31.12.2025 S.No Scheme Approved Completed/ Approved Released Total Processing Projects Operational Grants-In-Aid Grants-In- and preservation Projects (in Cr.) Aid (in Cr.) capacity (in Lakh Metric Tonne /Annum) 1 APC 66 23 559.46 299.24 23.25 2 BFL 60 53 167.73 152.10 8.82 3 CC 402 301 3035.42 2495.53 206.23 4 CEFPPC 509 349 1921.01 1440.39 115.86 5 FTL 205 173 503.25 381.93 0.00 6 MFP 41 25 1948.77 1515.58 43.97 7 OG 41 20 476.49 274.12 11.51 8 R&D 257 227 102.47 82.29 0.00 9 Skill 26 25 9.06 9.03 0.00 Total 1607 1196 8723.67 6650.22 409.65 *****