Ministry of Food Processing Industries launched Operation Greens scheme in November, 2018 for integrated development of Tomato, Onion and Potato (TOP) value chain with the objectives to enhance value realization of TOP farmers; reduction in post-harvest losses; price stabilization for producer and consumers and increase in food processing capacities and value addition etc.

In the budget speech of Union Budget 2018-19, a new Scheme “Operation Greens” was announced on the line of “Operation Flood”, with an outlay of Rs.500 crore to promote Farmer Producers Organizations (FPOs #), agri-logistics, processing facilities and professional management. Accordingly, the Ministry has formulated a scheme for integrated development of Tomato, Onion and Potato (TOP) value chain.

 

Objectives:

Enhancing value realisation of TOP farmers by targeted interventions to strengthen TOP production clusters and their FPOs, and linking/connecting them with the market.
Price stabilisation for producers and consumers by proper production planning in the TOP clusters and introduction of dual use varieties.
Reduction in post-harvest losses by creation of farm gate infrastructure, development of suitable agro-logistics, creation of appropriate storage capacity linking consumption centres.
Increase in food processing capacities and value addition in TOP value chain with firm linkages with production clusters.
Setting up of a market intelligence network to collect and collate real time data on demand and supply and price of TOP crops.

 

Features

Operation Green is currently housed in the Ministry of Food Processing Industries or MoFPI. 

The Ministry has also invited some programme management agencies to take note of its implementation. 

The initial outlay of the scheme was INR 500 crore.

Out of this INR 50 crore was reserved for price stabilisation for NAFED to interfere in the market whenever the prices crash due to a glut.

450 crore are reserved for developing integrated value chain projects. 

 

Eligible Crops:-

Fruits- Mango, Banana, Guava, Kiwi, Lichi, Papaya, Citrus, Pineapple, Pomegranate, Jackfruit;

Vegetables: - French beans, Bitter Gourd, Brinjal, Capsicum, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chillies (Green), Okra, Onion, Potato and Tomato.

 

The central government on November 11, 2020 announced a new scheme namely Operation Green. In this scheme, govt. will provide 50% subsidy will be provided to the Himalayan and North-Eastern states for air transportation of 41 notified fruits and vegetables to any place in the country.

 

List of Fruits Eligible for Air Subsidy in Operation Green Scheme  

Under the Operation Greens scheme, the consignments of all notified fruits and vegetables irrespective of price and quantity will be eligible for the 50 percent freight subsidy. Around 21 fruits will be eligible for the air subsidy which includes:-

Mango

Banana

Guava

Orange

Mousambi

Litchi

Kiwi

Lime

Lemon

Pineapple

Pomegranate

Papaya

Apple

Almond

Pear

Sweet Potato

Chikoo

Passion fruit

Jackfruit

Kinnow

Aonla

 

List of Vegetables Eligible for Air Subsidy in Operation Greens Scheme  

Around 19 vegetables will be eligible for the air subsidy which includes the following:-

Onion

Potato

Tomato

French beans

Garlic

Brinjal

Capsicum

Carrot

Cauliflower

Bitter Gourd

Green Chillies

Cucumber

Peas

Large Cardamom

Okra

Ginger

Cabbage

Squash

Dry Turmeric

 

Strategies:

The scheme will have two-pronged strategy ofPrice stabilisation measures (for short term) and Integrated value chain development projects (for long term).

(I) Short term Price Stabilisation Measures

NAFED will be the Nodal Agency to implement price stabilisation measures. MoFPI will provide 50% of the subsidy on the following two components:

i. Transportation of Tomato Onion Potato(TOP) Crops from production to storage;
ii. Hiring of appropriate storage facilities for TOP Crops;

Market Intelligence and Early Warning System

MIEWS Dashboard and Portal is a platform for monitoring prices of tomato, onion and potato (TOP) and for generating alerts for intervention under the terms of the Operation Greens scheme. The portal would disseminate all relevant information related to TOP crops such as Prices and Arrivals, Area, Yield and Production, Imports and Exports, Crop Calendars, Crop Agronomy, etc in an easy to use visual format..

(II) Long Term Integrated value chain development projects

i. Formation and Capacity Building of FPOs
ii. Quality Production
iii. Post-harvest processing facilities - At Farm Level
iv. Post-harvest processing facilities - At Main Processing Site
v. Agri-Logistics
vi. Marketing/Consumption Points

 

Way Forward

There is a need to link major consumption centre to major production centre with a minimal number of intermediaries.

Linking the processing industry with organized retailing. On an average, about one-fourth of the produce must be processed. Budget announcement of increasing the allocation for the food processing industry by 100% is a welcome step in this regard.

By developing forward and backward linkages, the government can ease large price fluctuations, raise farmers’ share in the price paid by the consumer and at the same time, ensure lower prices for the consumers — a win-win situation for all.