Latest news with #MinistryofFoodProcessingIndustries
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Kerala's broiler poultry sector faces sustainability crisis amid rising costs
Broiler poultry production in Kerala is inching towards unsustainability, driven by escalating input costs and evolving market threats. The break-even price for producing one kg of chicken in the State has reached ₹93, underscoring the growing financial strain on poultry farmers. 'Recent market developments have compounded the issue. The cost of a 50 kg poultry feed bag has surged by ₹90, while the price of day-old chicks has nearly doubled from ₹22 to ₹40. Most of the raw materials for poultry feed are sourced from neighboring States, where prices are continuously rising. In addition, the cost of essential inputs for deep litter rearing, a common method of poultry farming, has also spiked,' said T.P. Sethumadhavan, former director, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University. Another major concern is Kerala's dependence on other States for day-old chicks, which increases vulnerability to supply chain disruptions. Emerging diseases further complicate the issue. This situation is exacerbated by the fact that poultry farming is yet to be officially recognised as either an agricultural or industrial activity, despite being in active practice in the State. A recent court verdict that could have provided clarity on this classification remains unimplemented, he said. While Kerala presents huge potential in the retail poultry segment, especially in ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook categories, the State's chicken processing infrastructure is still underdeveloped and not aligned with market demands. The Ministry of Food Processing Industries offers attractive projects and incentives in this space, including subsidies up to ₹10 crore for cold chain and food processing ventures. However, Kerala has seen comparatively low participation in these schemes. 'To harness the growing market and ensure long-term viability, poultry entrepreneurs and farmers must transition into market-oriented processing and value addition. This includes establishing processing units tailored to consumer demand; adopting strict biosecurity measures to curb the spread of diseases and participating in capacity-building and skill development programmes for improved productivity, Dr. Sethumadhavan pointed out. Furthermore, there is immense potential in promoting Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) focussed on poultry. These FPOs can help aggregate production, streamline processing and marketing, and establish farmer-producer companies that strengthen the value chain from farm to fork. Despite current challenges, the demand for poultry meat in Kerala is on a steady rise. Strategic interventions and policy support could unlock significant opportunities for sustainable growth in the sector, he said.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
MoFPI pushes for GST rationalisation, stronger food safety norms: Chirag Paswan
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) is actively engaging with the Ministry of Finance to push for rationalisation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates on key items linked to the food processing sector, Union Minister Chirag Paswan said on Tuesday. Speaking at the curtain raiser event for World Food India 2025 in New Delhi, Paswan stressed the urgent need to review and overhaul GST rates applicable to various food and packaged food items. 'We're in continuous dialogue with the Finance Ministry and have forwarded the concerns of food processing industry stakeholders. There is a pressing need to re-examine the GST structure for several key items,' Paswan told Moneycontrol. While refraining from naming specific products, Paswan stressed the necessity for a "massive overhaul" in GST classifications. 'The GST Council will take the final decision, but from our side, we believe rationalisation is essential,' he said. According to sources, the GST Council is expected to convene following the conclusion of the Parliament's monsoon session, where a potential rationalisation of GST rates for around 150 items, including packaged food products may be taken up for discussion. On the regulatory front, the minister empasized the need to upgrade and align India's food safety regulations with international benchmarks. He pointed out that inconsistencies in domestic standards have led to the rejection of Indian food products in certain global markets. 'There have been instances where popular Indian products, like instant noodles have faced bans in European countries due to regulatory issues. Our goal is to ensure that Indian food safety standards are accepted globally,' Paswan said.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Food processing enterprises can create new jobs: Minister
Mandya: District minister N Cheluvarayaswamy emphasised the potential of food processing enterprises in creating self-employment opportunities, especially for young farmers seeking sustainable livelihoods. The event aimed to raise awareness about the PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM-FME) scheme and was jointly conducted by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Karnataka State Agricultural Produce Processing and Export Corporation Ltd (KAPPEC), district administration, zilla panchayat, and the department of agriculture. The minister symbolically extracted oil using a wooden press, reinforcing the importance of indigenous food processing techniques. "Most families in the district own some land. Even with just an acre, integrated farming practices can yield significant results at lower costs," he said, urging farmers to look beyond conventional cultivation. He noted that higher education should not be viewed as a pathway only to white-collar jobs, adding that the PM-FME scheme offers a practical alternative for self-employment. "Education gives us awareness, not necessarily a profession. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gold Is Surging in 2025 — Smart Traders Are Already In IC Markets Learn More Undo Entrepreneurship, especially in food processing, can be just as rewarding," he said. Cheluvarayaswamy highlighted that 6,000 food processing units are planned under the scheme, with financial support of up to Rs 15 lakh, including Rs 6 lakh from the Centre and Rs 9 lakh from the state as subsidy. He proudly noted that Mandya ranks second in the state in terms of availing loans and subsidies under this initiative. "With the right training and support, farmers can earn between Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh a month through food processing," he said, citing examples of success in integrated farming. Referring to Karnataka's performance, the minister added that Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan lauded the state's agriculture department as being among the most effective in the country. Ramesh Bandisiddegowda, chairman of Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation and Srirangapatna MLA, said food processing was not new to Mandya. "Our ancestors engaged in it actively. Now, by processing and branding local produce, we can reclaim that tradition and boost rural incomes," he said. Zilla Panchayat CEO KR Nandini said that while Mandya is agriculturally rich, farmer incomes remain low. "We need to diversify beyond paddy, sugarcane, and coconut. Crops like avocado (butter fruit) thrive here and have strong export potential," she noted. She encouraged farmers to collaborate with horticulture and animal husbandry departments to adopt integrated farming and increase earnings. "Processed products command three to four times higher prices. If we tap into both domestic and global markets, the returns can be significant." Highlighting the rising demand for ready-to-eat and value-added food, Nandini said this trend could be a game-changer for local farmers. "Value addition is the future. Food processing is not just about profits—it's about creating employment and empowering rural families." .
NDTV
01-07-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Ambulance Fuel Fund Stolen From Bathinda Hospital, Medical Officer Suspended
Bathinda: A major case of alleged financial misconduct surfaced in Bathinda after a complaint was received about the theft of hospital funds meant for ambulance fuel, Deputy Commissioner Showkat Ahmad Parray confirmed on Tuesday. Following a detailed inquiry, the then Senior Medical Officer (SMO) was suspended, along with an assistant and a data entry operator. The incident came to light when discrepancies in fund allocation and fuel usage were noticed. "We received a complaint regarding the theft of a hospital's money. It was allegedly done with the funds allotted for the ambulance fuel," said Mr Parray told ANI. #WATCH | Bathinda, Punjab | Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda, Showkat Ahmad Parray says, "We received a complaint regarding the theft of a hospital's money. It was allegedly done with the funds allotted for the ambulance fuel. In this regard, the Health Secretary had formed a… — ANI (@ANI) July 1, 2025 In response, the Health Secretary formed a committee to investigate the issue thoroughly. Initially, the SMO was transferred during the early stage of the investigation to prevent any interference. "At the initial stage of the investigation, the SMO was transferred. Now, after detailed enquiry, he has been suspended," the DC added. The two other individuals involved, a hospital assistant and a data entry operator, were also suspended for their alleged role in the misappropriation. The Deputy Commissioner further emphasised that the government is treating such misconduct with zero tolerance. "The government has sent a message that strict action will be taken against anyone who attempts to disrupt the government system," he stated. Further investigation is underway, and legal action will be taken based on the evidence gathered. In March, in a bid to enhance food safety and quality, Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu announced that the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MOFPI) will financially support the establishment of 100 new NABL-accredited food testing laboratories across India in the financial year 2025-26. Ravneet Bittu inaugurated a world-class food testing laboratory at Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University, highlighted the critical role of food testing in ensuring food safety.
India Gazette
01-07-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
Punjab: Ambulance fuel fund stolen from Bathinda hospital, SMO suspended
Bathinda (Punjab) [India], July 1 (ANI): A major case of alleged financial misconduct surfaced in Bathinda after a complaint was received about the theft of hospital funds meant for ambulance fuel, Deputy Commissioner Showkat Ahmad Parray confirmed on Tuesday. Following a detailed inquiry, the then Senior Medical Officer (SMO) was suspended, along with an assistant and a data entry operator. The incident came to light when discrepancies in fund allocation and fuel usage were noticed. 'We received a complaint regarding the theft of a hospital's money. It was allegedly done with the funds allotted for the ambulance fuel,' said Parray told ANI. In response, the Health Secretary formed a committee to investigate the issue thoroughly. Initially, the SMO was transferred during the early stage of the investigation to prevent any interference. 'At the initial stage of the investigation, the SMO was transferred. Now, after detailed enquiry, he has been suspended,' the DC added. The two other individuals involved, a hospital assistant and a data entry operator, were also suspended for their alleged role in the misappropriation. The Deputy Commissioner further emphasised that the government is treating such misconduct with zero tolerance. 'The government has sent a message that strict action will be taken against anyone who attempts to disrupt the government system,' he stated. Further investigation is underway, and legal action will be taken based on the evidence gathered. In March, in a bid to enhance food safety and quality, Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu announced that the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MOFPI) will financially support the establishment of 100 new NABL-accredited food testing laboratories across India in the financial year 2025-26. Ravneet Bittu inaugurated a world-class food testing laboratory at Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University, highlighted the critical role of food testing in ensuring food safety. (ANI)
