UPSC Prelims 2011 · Question 60 of 100
UPSC Prelims 2011 question on Mega Food Parks
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2011
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectIndian Economy
- TopicIndustry
- DifficultyMedium
- TypeStatement
With what purpose is the Government of India promoting the concept of “Mega Food Parks”?
1. To provide good infrastructure facilities for the food processing industry.
2. To increase the processing of perishable items and reduce wastage.
3. To provide emerging and eco-friendly food processing technologies to entrepreneurs.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Show answer
Answer: D. 1, 2 and 3
Verdict
Correct Answer: 1, 2 and 3
Analysis
The Mega Food Park Scheme was promoted to strengthen food processing infrastructure and reduce gaps in India’s agricultural supply chain.
Statement by statement
1. Provide good infrastructure facilities for food processing industry — Correct
Mega Food Parks provide common infrastructure such as cold storage, warehouses, packaging centres, quality control labs and processing facilities.
These facilities help food processing units operate efficiently at a lower cost.
2. Increase the processing of perishable items and reduce wastage — Correct
The scheme links farms with processing centres through collection centres and primary processing centres.
This helps in quick handling of fruits, vegetables, dairy and other perishables, reducing post-harvest losses.
3. Provide emerging and eco-friendly food processing technologies to entrepreneurs — Correct
Mega Food Parks create a modern processing ecosystem where entrepreneurs can access advanced and eco-friendly technologies.
This is especially useful for small and medium food processing units that may not afford such facilities individually.
Extra UPSC info
* The Mega Food Park Scheme was launched by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries in 2008.
* It follows a hub-and-spoke model: Collection Centres, Primary Processing Centres and Central Processing Centre.
* It is part of Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana.
* The scheme aims to connect farmers, processors and markets.
* It helps in value addition, employment generation and rural industrialisation.
* Srini Mega Food Park in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, was the first Mega Food Park inaugurated in India.
How to crack it
Mega Food Parks aim to provide food processing infrastructure, reduce wastage of perishables and promote modern technologies; hence all three statements are correct.