India launches new scheme to improve meat processing industry

Indian Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved a proposal of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MFPI) to launch a new scheme for modernisation of abattoirs across the country.

The scheme will be providing facilities for scientific and less painful slaughtering, chilling, effluent treatment plant, by-product utilisation, water and power with required sanitary conditions for modernisation of abattoirs.

The Centre has decided to extend financial, technical and managerial assistance to viable projects under a sustainable framework to be implemented by local authorities, boards and private investors.

The assistance for modernisation will be considered under the scheme of the local municipal authorities for capacity expansion.

Currently, India is the eighth largest meat producer in the world with an estimated annual production of about 4.9 million tonnes per annum.

The bovine meat shares about 60 percent, whereas buffalo, small ruminants, poultry and pigs share 30 percent, 15 percent, 12 percent and 10 percent respectively.

Further, the scheme envisages technical and managerial guidance to the concerned local authority, through a professional programme management agency (PMA) who would assist the ministry for technical appraisals and monitoring of the projects.

The volume of assistance is 50 percent and 75 percent of the eligible cost of plant & machinery and Technical Civil Work in general areas and difficult areas respectively with a ceiling of Rp150 million (US$2.9 million) per abattoir.

According to MFPI, the approved scheme is aimed at providing modern infrastructure for mechanical slaughter of animals and hygienic processing of meat and meat products and to ensure better value for the producers.