Union Minister for Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Shri Pashupati Kumar Paras chairs meeting of Inter-Ministerial Approval Committee (IMAC) through video conferencing

Union Minister for Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Shri Pashupati Kumar Paras, chaired the Inter-Ministerial Approval Committee (IMAC) meeting through video conferencing today to consider the proposals received under the Scheme for Creation of Infrastructure for Agro-Processing Cluster (APC) of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY). Minister of State for Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel along with senior officials of the Ministry and promoters of projects were also present in meeting.

IMAC, in its meeting today, approved seven proposals with total project cost of Rs. 216.489 Cr. including grants-in-aid of Rs. 52.767 Cr. in the States/UTs of Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. These projects will leverage private investment of Rs.163.722 Cr and are expected to generate employment to 12,400 persons & benefit 28,000 farmers.

The scheme for Creation of Infrastructure for Agro-Processing Cluster (APC) has been approved on 03.05.2017 under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) to incentivize the setting up of agro processing clusters in the country. This scheme aims at developing modern infrastructure to encourage entrepreneurs to set up food processing units based on cluster approach. These clusters will help in reducing the wastage of the surplus produce and add value to the horticultural / agricultural produce which will result in increase of income of the farmers and create employment at the local level.