Ministry of Food Processing: On May 3rd, 2017, the Government of India approved the SAMPADA scheme, later renamed as the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY), with a massive allocation of Rs. 6000 crore. This initiative, which ran from 2016 to 2020, aimed to breathe new life into agro-marine processing and establish agro-processing clusters. The goal was clear: to update infrastructure, streamline supply chains from farms to markets, and ultimately boost the food processing sector while ensuring better returns for farmers. It wasn’t just about economic growth; it was about doubling farmers’ incomes, creating jobs, especially in rural areas, reducing agricultural waste, and increasing processed food exports.
In 2018-19, the Budget introduced ‘Operation Greens,’ a scheme tailored for the integrated development of Tomato, Onion, and Potato (TOP) crops. This initiative became a part of PMKSY, underscoring the government’s dedication to agricultural advancement. Fast forward to the latest budget speech in 2021-2022, where the scope of Operation Greens underwent significant expansion. Now encompassing 22 perishable products, including beloved favorites like Mangoes, Bananas, and Apples, the aim is to increase value addition in these perishables, marking a bold step towards a more sustainable and efficient agricultural sector.
