New Delhi : The Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry, launched by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, is helping to boost India’s food processing sector, promote Indian brands globally, and create large food manufacturing companies.
The scheme runs from 2021–22 to 2026–27 with a total budget of ₹10,900 crore. Its main aim is to increase food processing capacity, add value to agricultural products, and create jobs, especially in rural areas.
It supports manufacturing in key segments like ready-to-eat foods, processed fruits and vegetables, marine products, and mozzarella cheese. It also encourages small businesses to produce innovative and organic products, and helps Indian brands expand in international markets through marketing support.
So far, 128 companies covering 274 units have been approved under the scheme. This includes strong participation from MSMEs, showing that both big and small companies are benefiting.
The scheme has seen higher-than-expected investment, with ₹9,207 crore already invested against the initial commitment of ₹7,722 crore. It has added significant processing capacity and created around 3.29 lakh jobs. Sales and exports of supported products have also grown steadily.
Millet-based products have seen a major boost, with sales increasing sharply and procurement rising nearly 15 times. This has helped promote millets and increase their use in food products.
Overall, the scheme is helping improve domestic manufacturing, increase farmers’ income, reduce waste, and strengthen the entire food supply chain. It is also supporting Indian food brands to grow globally and making India a stronger player in the food processing industry.