**Executive Summary**
The document is an answer provided by the Ministry of State for Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) on January 29, 2026, to an unstarred question regarding the establishment of mega food parks, agro-processing centers, and cold chain projects in Odisha, particularly in Kalahandi Lok Sabha Constituency. MoFPI facilitates these projects through the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) scheme and invites proposals from interested entities. The document mentions that 02 mega food park projects have been approved in the state of Odisha.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Scheme Details and Project Approvals:**
* MoFPI supports food processing projects through the PMKSY scheme but does not set up projects directly.
* MoFPI invites proposals through Expression of Interest (EoI) following scheme guidelines.
* The scheme is demand-driven, and funds are not allocated/sanctioned State-wise.
* In Odisha, 02 mega food park projects, 01 agro-processing cluster component projects, and 08 cold chain component projects have been approved under PMKSY.
* No project has been approved in Kalahandi Lok Sabha Constituency, Odisha.
* **Project Execution and Responsibilities:**
* Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) are responsible for the execution, ownership, and management of projects supported under PMKSY.
* PIAs must obtain all statutory clearances (planning, land acquisition, regulatory clearances, market linkages, and technology adoption).
* MoFPI may assist PIAs in resolving issues during project implementation by liaising with relevant government departments/agencies.
* **Post-Harvest Losses:**
* MoFPI commissioned a study through NABCONS to determine post-harvest losses of agri-produce in India in 2022, referencing the years 2020-22.
* The study reports percentage losses for various commodities, including cereals (3.89-5.92%), pulses (5.65-6.74%), oil seeds (2.87-7.51%), fruits (6.02-15.05%), vegetables (4.87-11.61%), and others as per the attached table.
* **Cold Storage Facilities:**
* MoFPI does not provide financial assistance for standalone cold storages under PMKSY but supports cold storages for captive use.
* Assistance is provided for creating cold chain infrastructure, including mobile pre-cooling vans and reefer trucks, under Cold Chain and Operation Green components of PMKSY.
* As of December 31, 2025, 690 cold storages for captive use and 1541 reefer vehicles & tankers have been supported under PMKSY.
**Impact Analysis**
**Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for project execution, ownership, and management of PMKSY projects. Must independently acquire necessary clearances.
* **Action Required:** Obtain all statutory clearances, manage project implementation, and engage with MoFPI for issue resolution if necessary.
**State Government of Odisha**
* **Impact:** Benefits from the establishment of food processing infrastructure and reduction in post-harvest losses.
* **Action Required:** Facilitate land acquisition and statutory clearances for PIAs to ensure timely project implementation.
**Farmers and Producers in Odisha**
* **Impact:** Potential to benefit from improved market access, reduced post-harvest losses, and enhanced value for their produce.
* **Action Required:** Engage with the projects and take advantage of the created market linkages.
**Consumers**
* **Impact:** Access to a greater variety of processed foods.
* **Action Required:** Monitor project developments and adjust plans accordingly.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY): Central sector umbrella scheme providing financial assistance for food processing projects.
Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI): The primary ministry responsible for providing financial assistance to food processing projects.
Odisha: Indian state with specific food processing project plans.
Kalahandi Lok Sabha Constituency: Specific region within Odisha with focus on mega food park development.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 125
ANSWERED ON 29TH JANUARY, 2026
SETTING UP OF MEGA FOOD PARKS IN KALAHANDI
125. SMT. MALVIKA DEVI:
Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the steps taken/being taken by the Government to set up mega food parks,
agro processing centres and cold chain projects during the last year along with the plans for
the State of Odisha and especially for Kalahandi Lok Sabha Constituency;
(b) the measures taken by the Government to fast track such projects especially as land
acquisition might be a problem in quick starting the projects;
(c) whether the Government has made assessment of the post-harvest losses of fruits and
vegetables and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether there have been adequate cold storage and refrigerated transport facilities
provided to tribal, rural and aspirational districts to bridge regional gaps and if so, the details
thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
(SHRI RAVNEET SINGH)
(a) Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) does not set up food processing
projects on its own but provides financial assistance for setting up of food processing projects
in the country under its central sector umbrella “Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana
(PMKSY)” scheme. MoFPI invites proposals from interested entities/organizations through
Expression of Interest (EoI) floated from time to time, in accordance with the scheme
guidelines. The scheme is demand-driven and the funds are not allocated/sanctioned/released
State-wise under any of the component schemes of PMKSY. As on date, in the state of Odisha,
02 projects have been approved under Mega Food Parks component (MFP has been
discontinued w.e.f 01.04.2021 with provision for committed liabilities only), 01 project has
been approved under Agro processing Cluster component and 08 projects have been approved
under Cold Chain component of PMKSY. No project has been approved in Kalahandi Lok
Sabha Constituency, Odisha under the aforementioned component schemes.
(b) The responsibility of execution, ownership and management of the projects supported
under PMKSY vests with the Project Implementing Agency (PIA). The Project Implementation
Agencies are required to obtain all statutory clearances including planning, implementation,
land acquisition, regulatory clearances, market linkages and technology adoption on their own.
In case a request is received from the project implementation agencies, the Ministry takes up
the matter with the concerned central/state government departments/agencies to facilitate
resolution of issues faced by PIAs during project implementation.(c) The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) had commissioned a study
through NABARD Consultancy Services Pvt. Ltd. (NABCONS), namely “Study to determine
Post harvest losses of Agri Produce in India” in 2022 with reference year 2020-22. As per the
report submitted by NABCONS, the details of estimated loss of various commodities reported
in the study are as under:
Post-harvest losses of major crops and commodities
Crops/ Commodities Estimated Percentage Loss
(%)
Cereals 3.89-5.92
Pulses 5.65-6.74
Oil Seeds 2.87-7.51
Fruits 6.02-15.05
Vegetables 4.87-11.61
Plantation Crops & Spices 1.29-7.33
Milk 0.87
Fisheries (Inland) 4.86
Fisheries (Marine) 8.76
Meat 2.34
Poultry 5.63
Egg 6.03
(d) MoFPI does not provide financial assistance for stand-alone cold storages under any of
the component schemes of PMKSY. However, cold storages for captive use are supported.
Assistance is also provided for creation of cold chain infrastructure including mobile pre-
cooling vans and reefer trucks under Cold Chain and Operation Green component schemes of
PMKSY.
As on 31.12.2025, a total of 690 cold storages for captive use have been supported under
various component schemes of PMKSY and a total of 1541 number of Reefer Vehicle &
Tanker have been supported under the Cold Chain and Operation Green component schemes
to the projects under PMKSY including those from ITDP areas, Rural and aspirational districts.
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