The government disclosed that the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for the food processing sector has enticed investments totaling Rs 9,207 crore and has resulted in the creation of about 3.29 lakh job opportunities. Launched by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, this scheme spans six years from FY 2021-22 to FY 2026-27, with a total budget of Rs 10,900 crore. Its primary objectives include boosting value addition, expanding processing capabilities, and fostering employment, especially in rural and off-farm domains.
The initiative encompasses various crucial sectors like ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat (RTC/RTE) foods, processed fruits and vegetables, marine products, and mozzarella cheese. It also extends support to innovative and organic products from Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), in addition to branding and marketing efforts aimed at enhancing the global visibility of Indian food items. A total of 128 companies have received approval under this scheme, covering 274 units nationwide, with a notable involvement from the MSME sector.
The government highlighted that the PLI scheme has led to substantial capacity augmentation, technological upgrades, and modernization of food processing facilities in numerous states. Investments under the scheme have surpassed the initial commitments, with total investments reaching Rs 9,207 crore compared to the pledged Rs 7,722 crore across 22 states. Furthermore, approximately 34 lakh metric tonnes per annum of processing and preservation capacity have been augmented.
Sales of products supported by the PLI scheme have exhibited a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.58%, while exports have shown a CAGR of 7.41% despite global adversities. Notably, there has been a significant surge in the consumption of millet-based products under the scheme, with sales escalating from Rs 345.73 crore in FY23 to Rs 1,845.25 crore in FY25, accompanied by a substantial rise in millet procurement during this period.
