Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Narendra Singh Tomar chaired the Inter-Ministerial Approval Committee (IMAC) meeting on 24 November 2020 to consider proposals received under the Scheme for Creation of Infrastructure for Agro-Processing Cluster (APC) of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY).
IMAC approved seven proposals with total project cost of Rs 234.68 crore including grants-in-aid of Rs 60.87 crore in the states/Union Territories of Meghalaya, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra.
These projects will leverage private investment of Rs 173.81 crore and are expected to generate employment for 7,750 persons.
The scheme for creation of infrastructure for agro-processing cluster (APC) was approved on 3 May 2017 under PMKSY to incentivise setting up of agro processing clusters in the country. This scheme aims at development of modern infrastructure to encourage entrepreneurs to set up food processing units based on cluster approach.
These clusters will help in reducing wastage of surplus produce and add value to horticultural/ agricultural produce which will result in increase of income of farmers and create employment at local level.