Government to Support 50 Food Irradiation Units in MSME Sector
Overview
In the 2024–25 budget speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced financial support for setting up 50 multi-product food irradiation units in the MSME sector. The initiative aims to enhance the shelf life of perishable commodities like fruits and vegetables through irradiation.
Expression of Interest (EoI)
The government has invited entrepreneurs to submit an EoI for setting up these irradiation units under the Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure scheme, part of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana. The deadline for EoI submissions is September 21, 2024.
Scheme Objectives and Budget
The Cold Chain scheme, with a budgetary provision of ₹179.8 crores for FY25, will provide financial assistance, including grants-in-aid or subsidies, to eligible projects. The scheme aims to support the establishment of food irradiation units to treat perishable goods and extend their shelf life.
Focus on Onion Storage
To reduce storage losses and improve the shelf life of onions, the government plans to irradiate 5,000 tonnes of onions this fiscal year. This initiative builds on a pilot project conducted in FY24, where 1,200 tonnes of onions were irradiated using gamma rays, based on a protocol developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). The BARC-developed system extends the storage life of rabi onions to up to 7.5 months.
