Beneficiaries Under PLI Scheme in Food Processing Sector

**Executive Summary** This progress report outlines the status of the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industries (PLISFPI) as of December 31, 2025. It details 168 approvals across various categories, including millet-based products, and reports on key milestones such as a ₹9,207 crore cumulative investment and the creation of 35 lakh metric tonnes of processing capacity. The document highlights the scheme’s role in promoting Indian brands globally and supporting MSME participation within the sector. **Key Points / Main Content** **Approval and Category Breakdown** * **Total Approvals:** 168 applications have been approved under the scheme as of year-end 2025. * **Category I:** 51 approvals granted across RTE/RTC (12), Fruits & Vegetables (26), Marine (9), and Mozzarella Cheese (4). * **Category II:** 15 approvals, comprising 2 for Innovative products and 13 for the Organic sector. * **Category III:** 73 approvals specifically for Branding & Marketing (B&M). * **Millet-Based Products (PLISMBP):** 29 total approvals, consisting of 8 large entities and 21 MSMEs. **Investment and Capacity Achievements** * **Financial Investment:** Approved applicants have made a cumulative investment of approximately Rs. 9,207 Crore. * **Incentive Disbursement:** A total of ₹2,714.79 crore in incentives has been disbursed to date. * **Infrastructure Growth:** The scheme has facilitated the creation of approximately 35 lakh metric tonnes per annum in processing and preservation capacity. **MSME and Cooperative Participation** * **Direct MSME Involvement:** 69 of the 168 approved applicants belong to the MSME category. * **Contract Manufacturing:** 40 MSME units are engaged as contract manufacturing units for the primary approved applicants. * **Diverse Entities:** The beneficiary list includes 2 cooperatives. **Scheme Objectives and Eligibility** * **Strategic Goals:** To create global food manufacturing champions, promote Indian brands abroad, and increase off-farm employment. * **Farmer Welfare:** Aims to ensure remunerative prices for farm produce and increase overall farmer income. * **Localization Requirement:** Incentives are only admissible if the entire manufacturing chain, including primary processing, takes place in India. **Impact Analysis** **Food Processing Applicants** **Impact** Approved entities benefit from financial incentives totaling over ₹2,714.79 crore and support for international branding and marketing. **Action Required** Beneficiaries must ensure that the entire manufacturing process, starting from primary processing, is conducted strictly within India to remain eligible for incentives. **MSMEs** **Impact** MSMEs have a significant presence in the scheme, particularly in the millet-based sector and as contract manufacturers for larger entities. **Action Required** MSMEs should maintain their processing and preservation capacities to meet the scheme's goal of 35 lakh metric tonnes per annum. **Farmers** **Impact** Farmers are impacted through the creation of more remunerative markets and higher income potential driven by increased industrial demand. **Action Required** No direct administrative action is required from farmers, as they are the intended indirect beneficiaries of the scheme’s supply chain requirements.

Key Entities Referenced