Page 138 - economic review

Industry and Labour110

• Under the scheme of Cold chain, Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure, financial
assistance is provided for setting up cold chain infrastructure and Mega Food Parks project
which creates infrastructure for setting up of 30-35 processing units.The Ministry has sanctioned
121 cold chain projects for implementation in the country.

• Scheme for Quality Assurance, Codex Standards, R&D and Promotional Activities provides
financial assistance for implementation of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP)/
International Organisation for Standards (ISO) 22000 / ISO 9000 / Good Manufacturing
Practices (GMP)/ Good Hygiene Practices (GMP) for food processing industries which helps
in improving quality and safety of processed food.

• The Human Resource Development (HRD) scheme provides training facilities to labourers in
Food Processing Sector through Food Processing Training Centres (FPTC).

3.76 Food Processing has been recognized as a priority sector in Kerala due to its potential
for sustainable and more inclusive growth, diversification, possibility of generating substantial
employment and further advancement in respect of industrial development in urban and rural areas.
The FPI in Kerala spreads in both organized as well as unorganized sectors. Kerala has been a
major exporter of spices, marine products, Cashew and pickles. Two thirds of Kerala’s export income
comes from processed food. Dairy products, Fish/Meat products, Rice & wheat products, Ready to
eat/ Ready to cook products and bakery products, masala powder, Coconut & other oils, Ayurvedic
medicines, Fruit juices etc are the major food items produced in the State.

3.77 The State Budget 2014-15 put forward a project for entrepreneurs who are interested in Small
Scale Food Processing Industries. The objective of this project for processing of food products
is to convert many quality products like Jack fruit, Mangoes, Tubers etc. which indigenously get
wasted, into value added products. This will help to attain food security and create more employment
opportunities. The project will be implemented with the assistance of Food Processing Mission,
Government of India.

3.78 Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (KINFRA) is the state agency
engaged in the promotion of food processing industry in the State. KINFRA has set up exclusive
Food Processing Parks to suit the specific needs of the food processing sector and they offer space
for food processing units in their 12 Industrial parks, as the demand for space is high. Out of these
Mazhuvannur (Ernakulam) food processing park has 30 units with 630 workers and Kakkancherry
(Malappuram) food processing park has 21 units with 716 workers. Under the Mega Food Parks
Scheme of Ministry of Food Processing Industries, a total of 42 Mega Food Parks have been
approved by the Government of India for setting-up in the country, but none in Kerala. KINFRA Food
parks at Malappuram, Mazhuvannur, Adoor and Aroor were approved by MoFPI. Details are given
in Appendix 3.34.

3.79 There are fruitful Food Processing Units, including catering/canteen units, among 31000
MSME units under Kudumbasree.

Quality Management in Food Processing Industries

3.80 Central/State Governments promotes Adoption of Food Safety and Quality Assurance
mechanisms such as Total Quality Management (TQM) including ISO 9000, ISO 22000, Hazard
Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good
Hygienic Practices (GHP) by food processing industry which enables the industry to face global
competition, enhances product acceptance and protects consumer health. There are 152 Food
Testing Laboratories authorised by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for testing
food products as per the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and Rules / Regulations, 2011.

Kerala State Planning Board