Parliament Question: Special projects to produce value added products from fruits

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 3899 ANSWERED ON 27TH MARCH, 2026 SPECIAL PROJECTS TO PRODUCE VALUE ADDED PRODUCTS FROM FRUITS 3899. SHRI R. GIRIRAJAN: Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state: (a) whether Government has initiated any special projects to produce value added products from fruits like papaya, pomegranate, guava, grapes and oranges; (b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; (c) whether Government has provided funds with subsidy for the establishment of fruit processing industries involved in the production of value added fruit and food products from the above said fruits in Tamil Nadu; (d) if so, the details thereof; and (e) the steps taken by Government to establish special packaging industries to support the food processing industries? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI RAVNEET SINGH) (a) to (b): The Ministry of Food Processing Industries does not set up any project on its own. Therefore, no such special project has been initiated by the Ministry. However, under Scheme for Operation Greens-Long Term Interventions, Ministry is providing financial assistance at the rate of 35% of the eligible project cost for projects in General Areas, and 50% for projects in Difficult Areas, as well as for projects involving SC/ST, FPOs (Farmer Producer Organizations), and SHGs (Self-Help Groups) for value chain development of 10 fruit crops, 11 vegetable crops and shrimp in the identified production clusters with maximum eligible grants-in-aid of ₹15 crore per project. Production clusters for pomegranate, guava, grapes and oranges have already been identified by the Ministry. Ministry has approved 41 projects under the scheme. Out of this 2 projects for pomegranate, 1 project for oranges and 1 project for grapes have been sanctioned in the state of Maharashtra. (c) to (d): Under Operation Greens scheme, Ministry has not provided financial assistance for processing of fruits like papaya, pomegranate, guava, grapes and oranges. However, Ministry has sanctioned 4 projects in the state of Tamil Nadu under the scheme. Out of which 3 projects are for processing and value chain development of Banana and 1 project is for Amla processing. (e): Ministry has not taken any such step to establish special packaging industries to support the food processing industries in the country. *****