Operation Greens
Transforming India's agricultural landscape through integrated value chain development
About Operation Greens
Operation Greens is a comprehensive scheme launched by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) to stabilize the supply of agricultural products, reduce price volatility, and ensure farmers get fair prices for their produce.
The scheme focuses on integrated development of value chains and providing post-harvest infrastructure to minimize wastage and maximize value addition in the agricultural sector.
With a budget allocation of ₹500 Crore for 2021-22 to 2025-26, Operation Greens aims to transform India's agricultural landscape by promoting farmer producer organizations, creating modern infrastructure, and establishing efficient supply chains.
Farmer Empowerment
Supporting Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) with at least 300 members to enhance collective bargaining power.
Infrastructure Development
Creating modern post-harvest facilities and cold chain infrastructure to reduce wastage and improve quality.
Quality Assurance
Promoting quality production practices and providing testing equipment for maintaining high standards.
Scheme Details
EOI – Deadline for filing Initial (First) Application
| Sl No | Particulars | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Name of the scheme | Operation Greens - Long Term Interventions |
| 02 | Effect of the Circular | Submission of Proposals / Eol through the online portal on or before 05:00 PM on 15-12-2023. |
| 03 | Who are eligible | State Agriculture Federations, State Marketing Federations, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPO), cooperatives, Self-help groups (SHGs), companies, food processors, logistic operators, service providers, supply chain operators, retail chains, wholesale chains, Central Government (including entities/ organizations under the Central Government) and State Governments (including entities/ organizations under the State Government) will be eligible to avail financial assistance under the Scheme. Note: For the purpose of availing benefits under the Scheme, an FPO shall have minimum 300 members (100 in case of Difficult Areas). |
| 04 | When to Apply | From 10:00 AM of 09-10-2023 to 05:00 PM of 15-12-2023. |
| 05 | Last date to apply | On or before 05: 00 PM on 15-12-2023. |
| 06 | Fee (Non-Refundable) | Others - ₹ 20,000/- |
| 07 | Mode of payment | A Demand Draft (DD) to be submitted in favour of "Pay & Accounts Officer, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, New Delhi". |
| 08 | Stipulation for submission of DD to Department | The demand drafts, in original, should reach the Ministry not later than one week after last date of submission of application. |
Budget
| Sl No | Particulars | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Scheme Announced on (Revised Guidelines) | 08-06-2022 |
| 02 | Scheme Period | 2021-22 to 2025-26 (5 Years) |
| 03 | Cut-off Date - Application Submission | 09-10-2023 to 15-12-2023 (68 Days) |
| 04 | Major Criteria's | No Civil Work, No Machinery Purchase, No Advances to Suppliers / Contractors before Ministry Approval. |
| 05 | Minimum Approval time required by Ministry | 3 Months 15 Days |
| 06 | Budget for Entire Policy Period (2021-22 to 2025-26) | ₹ 500 Crore for 5 years |
Snapshot (Guidelines)
| Sl No | Particulars | Inputs |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Scheme Announced on (Revised Guidelines) | 08-06-2022 |
| 02 | Last Date of Submission | 68 Days from the date of Expression of Interest (EoI) |
| 03 | Project Location | As Per Annexure - Identified Production Clusters |
| 04 | Subsidy Rate |
Patten of Assistance • 35% of Eligible Project Cost in General Areas • 50% of Eligible Project Cost in difficult areas / SC /ST – 51% holding, FPOs & SHGs • Max Cap For Integrated Value Chain Development Projects: ₹ 15 Cr per Project For Standalone Post Harvest Infrastructure Projects: ₹ 10 Cr per Project |
| 05 | Instalments | 3 Equal Instalments (1/3rd of Grants-in Aid each) |
| 06 | Submission of 1st Instalment Documents - Cut-off Date & Stage | Submit documents after confirming expenditure of 1/3rd of Eligible Project Cost, but within 8 months (Gen) / 10 months (SC / ST) from the date of "Ministry Approval". |
| 07 | 1st Instalment Inspection by Govt Authority (MoFPI) / PMA Consultants | Will carried out approx. in 30 days from the date of submission of 1st Installment Documents. |
| 08 | Release of 1st Instalment | Once submission of Inspection Report by concerned Govt Officials / Agency, 1st Instalment will be released in 1 month (approx.), subject to availability of funds. |
| 09 | Submission of 2nd Instalment Documents - Cut-off Date & Stage | Submit documents after spending expenditure to the extent of 2/3rd (67%) of "Eligible Project Cost", but within 16 months (Gen) / 20 months (SC / ST) from the date of "Ministry Approval". |
| 10 | 2nd Instalment Inspection by Govt Authority (MoFPI) / PMA Consultants | Will carried out approx. in 30 days from the date of submission of 2nd Installment Documents. |
| 11 | Release of 2nd Instalment | Once submission of Inspection Report by concerned Govt Officials / Agency, 2nd Instalment will be released in 1 month (approx.), subject to availability of funds. |
| 12 | Submission of 3rd Instalment Documents - Cut-off Date & Stage | Submit documents after 100% utilization of "Eligible PC, Term Loan (TL), but within 24 months (Gen) / 30 months (SC / ST) from the date of "Ministry Approval". |
| 13 | 3rd Instalment Inspection by Govt Authority (MoFPI) / PMA Consultants | Will carried out approx. in 30 days from the date of submission of 3rd Installment Documents. |
Eligible Criteria's
| Sl No | Particulars | Inputs |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Land | Should be in the name of Applicant. If "Lease Land", then 15 years "Lease Period" duly registered is required. |
| 02 | Term Loan (TL) | TL Date should be after Expression of Interest (EoI) announcement Date – Minimum TL Value should be 20% of Total Project Cost. |
| 03 | Net worth | Should be 1.5 times of Grant-in-Aid for Gen (or) equal to Grant-in-Aid (Subsidy) Amount for NER / SC / ST. |
| 04 | Investment Made prior to Ministry Approval | Will not be considered as "Eligible Project Cost" to calculate Subsidy Amount. |
| 05 | Refundable Bank Guarantee (BG) | 5% BG on "Eligible Subsidy Amount" should execute on receipt of Ministry Approval Letter, but within 30 days from the date of Ministry Approval. BG will be release on successful implementation of Project, but after receipt of 2nd Installment of Subsidy Amount. |
| 06 | Stage of TL Disbursement | After getting Ministry Approval, Bank can disburse TL Amount. Thereafter only Project Civil Work, Purchase of Machinery and Advance to Vendors & Contractors can be start / made. |
| 07 | Evaluation Marks | As per "Ministry Evaluation Chart", minimum 60 marks for General & 45 Marks for NER / SC / ST / ITDP required to secure / achieve to make Project Eligible. |
| 06 | Project Completion | Within 24 months (Original 18 Months + 6 Month Extension) from the date of Ministry Approval including extended period. |
List of Eligible Components for Calculation of Subsidy
Major Heads of Operation Greens Components
| Sl No | Particulars |
|---|---|
| 01 | Integrated Value Chain Development Projects (All sub – components are Mandatory) |
| 02 | Standalone Post-Harvest Infrastructure Projects and (At least one sub – components are Mandatory) |
| 03 | Quality Production |
Each Component in detailed manner:
1) Integrated Value Chain Development Projects (Sub components Mandatory)
| Sl No | Sub Component |
|---|---|
| A |
Formation of new FPOs in the cluster and / or Training / Workshop of existing Farmers / FPOs Eligible Cost = SFAC Norms Max of 5% of total eligible project cost |
| B |
Post-harvest Processing Facilities a) Appropriate Storage such as staging Cold Room / Dry Storage / Cold Storage / Frozen Storage / CA Storage (Standalone facility not allowed) b) Integrated Pack House and Machinery & equipment for primary processing and/or Value addition such as Cutting, Dicing, Slicing, Pickling, Pulping etc. (With mechanized sorting & grading line / Packing line / waxing line) c) Secondary Processing line including IQF, Blast Freezer etc. d) Quality test equipment for captive use |
| C |
Agri-Logistics a) Controlled temperature / Ventilated vehicle with or without ranking |
| C |
Marketing Infrastructure (this Component location should be anywhere in the country, not necessarily in identified production clusters) a) Retail chain of outlets for perishable products with facilities such as (Frozen Storage, Cold Room, Cold Storage, Deep Freezers, Refrigerated display cabinets, Chillers, Packing, Packaging, Ripening Chamber etc. Note: Maximum 5 retail outlets allowed subject to maximum of 5% of total eligible project cost |
2) Standalone Post-Harvest Infrastructure Projects and (Atleast one Sub component is Mandatory)
| Sl No | Sub Component |
|---|---|
| A |
Primary Post-harvest processing infrastructure facilities at farm level in the identified cluster Location of the Project: implemented in "Identified Production Clusters" a) Appropriate Storage such as staging Cold Room / Dry Storage / Cold Storage b) Integrated Pack House and Machinery & equipment for primary processing and/or Value addition such as Cutting, Dicing, Slicing, Pickling, Pulping etc. (With mechanized sorting & grading line / Packing line / waxing line) Mandatory c) Retail chain of outlets for perishable products with facilities such as (Frozen Storage, Cold Room, Cold Storage, Deep Freezers, Refrigerated display cabinets, Chillers, Packing, Packaging, Ripening Chamber etc.) d) Quality test equipment for captive use e) Controlled temperature / Ventilated vehicle with or without ranking Note: Maximum 5 retail outlets allowed subject to maximum of 5% of total eligible project cost |
| B |
Postharvest processing infrastructure facilities Location of the Project: implemented in "Identified Production Clusters" or "adjacent districts of adjacent states" a) For Value addition (Mandatory) b) Retail chain of outlets for perishable products with facilities such as (Frozen Storage, Cold Room, Cold Storage, Deep Freezers, Refrigerated display cabinets, Chillers, Packing, Packaging, Ripening Chamber etc.) c) Quality test equipment for captive use d) Controlled temperature / Ventilated vehicle with or without ranking Note: Maximum 5 retail outlets allowed subject to maximum of 5% of total eligible project cost |
3) Quality Production
Maximum 5% of total allocation under the scheme may be utilized for the quality production
Note: Maximum 5 retail outlets allowed subject to maximum of 5% of total eligible project cost
Ineligible Components for Calculation of Subsidy
| Sl No | Particulars |
|---|---|
| 01 | Approach Road |
| 02 | Cost of Land |
| 03 | Canteen |
| 04 | Quarters for Workers |
| 05 | Non-technical Civil Works not related to the components of the Scheme |
| 06 | Margin Money, Working Capital and Contingencies |
| 07 | AC Ducting, Furniture, Computers and Allied Office Items |
| 08 | Transport Vehicles except Controlled Temperature Vehicles like Coolers and Refrigerated / Insulated / Ventilated Transport |
| 09 | Closed Circuit TV Camera and Security System related Equipment. |
| 10 | Stationery Items |
| 11 | Expenditure on Painting of Machinery |
| 12 | Pre-operative expenses |
| 13 | Fuel, Consumables, Spares and Stores |
| 14 | Consultancy Fee, Taxes, etc. on Plant and Machinery. |
| 15 | Service Charges, Carriage and Freight Charges or Other such Charges / Fees |
| 16 | Plant & Machinery not directly related to Components of the Scheme |
| 17 | Fly Catchers, Hand Washer, Laundry |
| 18 | Reconditioned / Refurbished / Second hand / Old Plant & Machinery |
Central Food Ministry (MoFPI) - Application Process Timelines
| Sl No | Head | Timelines (TAT) |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Application Starting Date | 09-10-2023 |
| 02 | Application Submission Last Date | 15-12-2023 |
| 03 | Total days available for submission of Application | 68 Days |
| 04 | Time required for considering the case by Technical Scrutiny Committee (TSC) by Ministry. | 30 Days |
| 05 | Time required for further consideration of proposal for IMAC once TSC approved. | 15 Days |
| 06 | Time required to get Approval / Sanction form Ministry after IMAC Decision from. | 15 Days |
| 07 | Total time required to get Approval | 3 Months 15 Days |
Check List (OG) - Initial Application
| Sl No | Particulars | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Detailed Project Report (DPR) indicating financial and technical profile of the entity, domain expertise available with the entity, raw material availability in the area where project is proposed to be set up, arrangements for procurement of raw material, marketing strategy of proposed products, process flow diagram of proposed products with production capacity per day, technology proposed for various activities in process line, financial estimates with key financial parameters, profit and loss statement, estimated employment generation from the project (direct as well as indirect), number of farmers estimated to be benefited etc (Annexure - III) | KC |
| 02 | A detailed Appraisal Note, specific to the scheme, from a Scheduled Commercial Bank | Client |
| 03 | Bio-data/ background/ experience of the proposed entity / Promoters / partners / Proprietor along with their contact details | Client |
| 04 | In-Principal / Final term loan sanction from a Bank | Client |
| 05 | Certificate of incorporation, Memorandum and Article of Association, Bye laws, Partnership Deed | Client |
| 06 | PAN Card of Company | Client |
| 07 | SC/ST caste certificate (If applicable) | Client |
| 08 | Registered Sale Deed / Lease deed (Lease Period 15 years) - English Version | Client |
| 09 | Change in Land Use (CLU) permission from competent authority | Client |
| 10 | Quotations from Original Equipment Manufacturer or its authorised dealer/ supplier | Client |
| 11 | Annual reports and Audited Financial Statement of Accounts of for last two years | Client |
| 12 | Net worth Certificate by CA (Annexure - II) | KC |
| 13 | CA Certificate (Annexure - III) | KC |
| 14 | CE (Civil) Certificate (Annexure - V) | KC |
| 15 | CE (Mechanical) Certificate (Annexure - VI) | KC |
| 16 | Proof of submission of Fee | Client |
Important Points:
- All above documents must be submitted through online & Self-attested by applicant
- Land must be in the name of applicant
- Proposal should contain an index as first page & all pages of documents must be properly numbered
Impact of Scheme
Economic Benefits
- Increased farmer income through better price realization
- Reduction in price volatility of agricultural produce
- Creation of employment opportunities in rural areas
- Boost to food processing sector and value addition
Infrastructure Development
- Creation of modern post-harvest management facilities
- Establishment of cold chain infrastructure
- Development of integrated value chains
- Improved logistics and transportation facilities
Social Benefits
- Strengthening of farmer collectives and FPOs
- Skill development and capacity building of farmers
- Special focus on SC/ST communities and difficult areas
- Empowerment of women through SHGs
Environmental Benefits
- Reduction in post-harvest losses and food wastage
- Promotion of sustainable agricultural practices
- Efficient use of resources through integrated value chains
- Lower carbon footprint through optimized supply chains
Key Performance Indicators
₹500 Cr
Total Budget Allocation
5 Years
Scheme Duration
35-50%
Subsidy Rate
₹15 Cr
Max Grant per Project
Frequently Asked Questions
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