The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) is spearheading significant advancements in the food processing sector through the implementation of three key schemes: the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY), the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI), and the Prime Minister Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme. These initiatives are central to enhancing modern infrastructure, establishing efficient supply chains from the farm gate to retail outlets, boosting farmers’ income, generating employment, minimizing food wastage, increasing processing levels, and expanding the export of processed foods across India.
Key Initiatives:
- Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY):
PMKSY includes various sub-schemes designed to provide primarily credit-linked financial assistance in the form of capital subsidies to entrepreneurs. With a total budget of Rs 5,520 crore allocated for the 15th Finance Commission Cycle, the scheme has achieved significant milestones by 30 June 2024, including the approval of 41 Mega Food Parks, 399 Cold Chain projects, 76 Agro-Processing Clusters, 588 Food Processing Units, 61 Backward & Forward Linkages Projects, and 52 Operation Greens projects. - Prime Minister Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme:
This scheme focuses on offering financial, technical, and business support for establishing and upgrading micro food processing enterprises. Operational from 2020-21 to 2024-25, the PMFME scheme has a total outlay of Rs 10,000 crore. As of 30 June 2024, a total of 92,549 micro food processing enterprises have been sanctioned under this initiative. - Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI):
Aimed at fostering global food manufacturing champions and promoting Indian food brands in the international market, PLISFPI is being executed over six years, from 2021-22 to 2026-27, with a total allocation of Rs 10,900 crore. To date, 172 food processing companies have received sanctions for assistance under various categories of this scheme.
Research and Development Support:
In recognition of the need for innovation in product and process development within the food processing sector, MoFPI extends financial support to educational and research institutions, including Research and Development (R&D) units recognized by the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) in the private sector. These funds are allocated through the R&D scheme under PMKSY, which has approved 72 research projects since 2017-18, with a cumulative subsidy of Rs 26.12 crore by 30 June 2024.
Furthermore, the National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship & Management (NIFTEM) at Kundli and NIFTEM at Thanjavur, operating under the administrative control of MoFPI, continue to play a pivotal role in advancing R&D activities in the food processing sector.
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