National Mission on Food Processing

Government has approved the launching of National Mission on Food Processing (NMFP) main scheme through States/UTs during 2012-13. The basic objective of NMFP is decentralization of implementation of Ministry’s schemes, which will lead to substantial participation by State Governments/UTs. The NMFP is likely to add significantly to the Ministry’s outreach in terms of planning, supervision and monitoring of assistance through this scheme.

The major Progrmme/Schemes to be covered under NMFP during 2012-13 are:

(i) Scheme for Technology Up-gradation / Establishment /modernisation of Food Processing Industries.

(ii) Scheme for Cold Chain, Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure for Non Horticultural Products.

(iii) Scheme for Modernisation of Abattoirs (no targets for 2012-13 & 2013-14)

(iv) Scheme for Human Resource Development (HRD)

a) Creation of Infrastructure Facilities for Running Degree/ Diploma / Certificate Courses in Food Processing Technology.

b) Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP)

c) Food Processing Training Centre (FPTC)

(v) Scheme for Promotional Activities

a. Organizing Seminars/Workshops

b. Conducting Studies/Surveys

c. Support to Exhibitions/Fairs

d. Advertisement & Publicity

Indian Community Welfare Fund

The Government of India provides budgetary support for the setting up of the fund in Indian Missions with allocations ranging from Rs.5-15 lakh So far as the corpus of such fund is concerned. The Ministry’s contribution is initially for a period of 3 years or till the period the fund becomes self sustaining whichever is earlier. The amount is released annually and is limited to meet the deficit in the financial resources of the Missions, with due regard to the utilization of the amount released during previous years. Funds raised by the Indian Missions by levying a service charge on Consular Services and voluntary contributions by the Indian community.

Employment Exchange Mission Mode Project

The Union Labour & Employment Minister Shri Mallikarjun Kharge has informed that Employment Exchanges Mission Mode Project (EEMMP) is under consideration to interlink all the Employment Exchanges across the country. The Project is yet to be approved by the competent authority. Under the Project, a National Web Portal will be developed which will contain information both on availability of manpower and requirement of the industry and will serve as a virtual job market.

Programme on National Monsoon Mission

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the implementation of the programme of the National Monsoon Mission at the Earth System Science Organisation (ESSO) for a period of five years.
The main objectives of the National Monsoon Mission are:
(i) To build a working partnership between the academic and R&D organisations both national and international and the operational agencies to improve the operational monsoon forecast skill over the country.
(ii) To set up a state of the art dynamic modeling framework for improving the prediction skill of:
        a. Seasonal and extended range prediction system (16 days to one season)
        b. Short to medium range prediction system (up to 15 days).
The Mission has a budget of Rs.400 crore for five years to support the research work related to the mission.
The National Monsoon Mission after its implementation will help to implement a dynamic prediction system for the prediction of monsoon in all time scales, short range to seasonal time scale at appropriate spatial scales with improved prediction skill. The forecasts based on this prediction system will cater to the needs of various sectors like agriculture, water resources management, power generation, disaster management, tourism and transport.