Miscellaneous schemes/initiatives under the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI)
🔷 Nivesh Bandhu Portal – “Your Investment Companion”
The Nivesh Bandhu Portal was launched on 1st November 2017 by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) in collaboration with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
🔍 What is it?
- A dedicated investor facilitation portal for the food processing sector in India.
🎯 Purpose:
To attract investment and streamline investor experience by providing a one-stop knowledge and support platform.
🧰 Key Features:
- Access to Central and State-level policies related to food processing
- Mapping of agro-producing clusters (e.g. fruits in Nashik, spices in Kerala)
- Information on:
- Available infrastructure
- Investment potential in various regions
- Subsidy and grant schemes (like PMKSY, PLISFPI, etc.)
💡 UPSC Angle:
- Digital Governance in agriculture and food processing
- Ease of Doing Business – Sector-specific support portal
- Example of PPP-enabling infrastructure
🔷 Scheme for Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure
This scheme launched in 2017 deserves detailed attention because it is directly tied to PMKSY, but also operates independently as a flagship scheme under MoFPI.
🔍 Objective:
To reduce post-harvest losses and ensure quality preservation of perishable and non-perishable agri-produce from farm to consumer.
🧊 What it Provides:
An integrated cold chain infrastructure, including:
- Pre-cooling at farm level
- Refrigerated transport
- Cold storage and ripening chambers
- Value addition facilities like packaging, IQF (Individually Quick Frozen), etc.
📦 All done without break in the cold chain → ensures quality, reduces spoilage
📌 Salient Features:
| Feature | Details |
| Target produce | Horticulture, non-horticulture crops, dairy, fish, poultry, meat |
| Emphasis | Infrastructure at farm level and rural connectivity |
| Eligible entities | Proprietorship/Partnership Firms, Companies, Cooperatives, SHGs, FPOs, NGOs |
| Flexible Planning | Projects can be designed to suit regional needs and production patterns |
🎯 Strategic Significance:
- Reduces post-harvest losses (India loses 1.5 lakh crore/year in agri produce)
- Supports food security and nutrition goals
- Promotes processing near production zones, reducing logistics cost