Food Processing and Value Addition Management

The Department of Horticulture, Government of Uttarakhand, administers the "Food Processing and Value Addition Management" scheme to support the state's food processing industry. The initiative provides financial assistance to entrepreneurs for establishing new processing units, with the aim of increasing the value of locally grown agricultural and horticultural produce. Support extends to the adoption of modern processing facilities and technologies.

The scheme is structured to build a sustainable food processing ecosystem in the state. It offers financial aid alongside operational support to ease the establishment and running of these units. By encouraging local value addition, the programme helps farmers secure improved prices for their output and generates employment across the supply chain.

The stated goal is to position Uttarakhand as a centre for advanced food processing, enabling efficient processing, packaging, and marketing of local produce for both domestic and external markets. This focus is intended to support rural development and broader economic growth.

1. Obtain the application form from Horticulture Mobile Team Centres or download it from the department's website (shm.uk.gov.in). 2. Prepare a comprehensive proposal accompanied by a detailed checklist of 29 documents. This includes the prescribed application format, a Detailed Project Report (DPR), promoter's permanent residence certificate, organisation's biodata, unit area address, proof of project appraisal by a bank/financial institution, NOC from the Fire Department, land records, land conversion certificate, company/institution's boilerage, raw material procurement details, product details, contracts with farmers, site plan, FSSAI certification, employment generation certificate, civil works certification by an engineer, quotations for plant machinery from certified suppliers, marketing strategy, process flow chart, unit implementation details, a ₹100/- affidavit, funding details, project cost, and eligibility proofs. 3. Personnel at Horticulture Mobile Team Centres are available to assist applicants in completing their proposals. 4. Before submitting the application, ensure that the project loan has been appraised by a bank or financial institution. 5. Submit the completed application and all accompanying documents to the designated office. 6. Upon approval from the Mission Directorate, entrepreneurs will receive an acceptance letter and be notified by telephone. 7. During this period, secure the necessary loan approval, with assistance provided by departmental officers. 8. Once the loan is approved, inform the department. 9. Establish the food processing unit with technical assistance and supervision from departmental officers. 10. Following completion, a joint inspection will be conducted by the departmental team. 11. After satisfactory verification, the eligible subsidy will be disbursed directly into the entrepreneur's bank account.

Applications and detailed project proposals are first submitted to the Horticulture Mobile Team Centres, where they are reviewed for completeness and compliance with the scheme’s guidelines. Proposals that meet the criteria are then forwarded to the Mission Directorate for further assessment.

The Mission Directorate evaluates each project’s feasibility, its potential for value addition, and its alignment with the scheme’s objectives. If the evaluation is successful, an acceptance letter is issued to the entrepreneur. After the unit is established, a joint inspection by a departmental team verifies that the unit is operational and implemented as proposed, before the final subsidy is disbursed.