The government has sanctioned Rs 793.27 crore in incentives for 29 companies under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to boost millet-based products. Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Ravneet Singh informed the Parliament about this initiative to enhance value addition and utilization of millets in food items.
Out of the 29 approved companies, eight are large corporations, while the remaining 21 are small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Various schemes like Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY), PLISFPI, and PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme (PMFME) have been instrumental in promoting food processing infrastructure, including millet processing units.
Under the PMFME scheme, millet-based products have been designated as “One District One Product” (ODOP) in 21 districts nationwide. The government has supported 4,612 micro food processing enterprises involved in millet processing, with subsidies totaling Rs 91.20 crore as of December 31, 2025.
Millet Mahotsav events were conducted in 30 districts during the International Year of Millets 2023 to aid entrepreneurs and start-ups engaged in millet processing. Sales by approved beneficiaries under the PLI scheme for millet-based products surged from Rs 35 crore in 2020–21 to Rs 814 crore in 2024–25, with millet procurement escalating from 1,092 metric tonnes to 16,130 metric tonnes during the same period.
Additionally, one food processing unit has received approval under the creation/expansion of Food Processing and Preservation Capacities (CEFPPC) component of PMKSY. The government also extends branding and marketing support to farmer producer organizations, self-help groups, and cooperatives involved in millet processing.
