New Delhi, Feb 13
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has been running the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) since 2016-17 to improve food processing and reduce waste after harvest. This scheme helps entrepreneurs by providing financial support to build food storage and processing facilities, including cold storage units and refrigerated transport vehicles.
The key highlights are as mentioned below:
Financial Support for Food Processing Infrastructure:
- Businesses can receive government grants to build cold storage, refrigerated transport, and other food processing facilities.
- To receive these funds, businesses must have environmental approvals and use energy-efficient cooling systems that do not harm the ozone layer.
- Financial assistance is also available for using solar, wind, or biomass energy, with a maximum of ₹35 lakh per project.
Sustainable Packaging Innovation:
- The National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship & Management (NIFTEM), Thanjavur, is developing biodegradable packaging made from natural materials like starch and plant-based polymers.
Boosting Food Processing and Exports:
- The PMKSY scheme is helping build modern food storage and supply chains from farms to retail stores, reducing food waste and increasing exports of processed food.
- The government also launched the PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme, which provides financial and business support to two lakh small food businesses.
- The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme (2021-27) aims to promote Indian food brands globally.
Support from Other Government Departments:
- Ministries like Agriculture, Fisheries, and Animal Husbandry offer additional programs to support food processing and exports.
- The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) helps food exporters by funding quality control labs, food safety training, and better packaging.
- The Ministry of Food Processing Industries also supports industries in getting ISO 9000 and HACCP certifications for food safety and quality.
This information was shared by Minister of State for Food Processing Industries, Shri Ravneet Singh, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
