What are the reasons for poor acceptance of cost-effective small processing unit ? How the food processing unit will be helpful to uplift the socio-economic status of poor farmers ?

Addressing low value Addition

1. According to APEDA value addition can be improved, which is poor:

• 4% → fishery
• 2% → Horticulture
• 35% → milk
• 6% → meat

1. Perishable items can be improved which will [increase] Agriculture GVA by 13% (NAFED)

2. use of Biotechnology & cold chains to increase exports led growth

3. improve food security by increased nutrients to food.

Post-Harvest losses

1. By value Addition at various stages

Mega Food Park

1. Cold chain storage → SAMPADA yojana

2. Fast Transportation → KISAN RAILS

Disguised unemployment Tackle

1. Consume workforce from Agriculture which is stagnant.

2. Reduce Unemployment Rate (8% CMIE) as it is labour intensive sector.

3. Help Labour force participation ratio to improve.

4. New Startups, Enterpreneurs more employment.

Despite such potentials challenges

(1) Upstream challenges: Poor transportation and acess to APMC's by farmers to send raw materials.

(2) Down stream challenges → Gradation challenge, D-marketing challenge.

(3) Backward & forward linkages: 17 MF parks are working below their capacity

(4) Governance issues: Lack of credit to MSME's, FPO's, SHG's.

(5) Cultural issues: preference to fresh food.

(6) Cold chain Infrastructure is still in Nascent stage.