**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has undertaken several initiatives to bridge the skills gap in the food processing sector. These initiatives involve skill training programs through the Food Industry Capacity and Skill Initiative (FICSI), the Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme, and specialized training programs conducted by the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) at Thanjavur and Kundli. These efforts aim to empower entrepreneurs, SHGs, FPOs, and youth to meet international standards and promote employment.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Food Industry Capacity and Skill Initiative (FICSI):**
* Has over 60 job roles approved by NCVET, updated every 36 months.
* Offers training in emerging areas like plant-based proteins and FSSAI requirements.
* Has trained and certified over 2.72 lakh candidates in food-processing job roles since 2015-16, including 2.60 lakh under PMKVY, in collaboration with various institutions.
* **Prime Minister's Formalization of Micro Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme:**
* Includes capacity-building training conducted by State/UT Governments.
* Offers 24-hour/3-day Food Processing EDP Training for individuals and groups.
* Offers 8-hour/1-day training to SHG beneficiaries of Seed Capital.
* Has trained 1,09,312 beneficiaries across India from 2020-21 till 2024-25.
* **National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM):**
* NIFTEM-Thanjavur has developed over 110 ready-to-commercialize technologies.
* NIFTEM-Kundli has transferred 52 technologies to industries, start-ups, and entrepreneurs.
* Both institutes have trained 32255 and 1516 persons respectively during the period from 2018-19 till 2024-25.
* Short-term training programs focus on integrating latest technological advancements and building industry-relevant competencies.
* **Central Sector Schemes:**
* Implementation of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) and Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industries (PLIFPIs).
* Focus on cold chain projects and food processing units that incorporate advanced machinery.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Food Processing Sector Workers/Job Seekers**
* **Impact:** Increased access to certified training programs, skill development in emerging areas, and enhanced employability within the food processing sector.
* **Action Required:** Participate in available training programs offered through FICSI, PMFME, and NIFTEM.
**Stakeholder: Entrepreneurs/Start-ups/SHGs/FPOs**
* **Impact:** Enhanced capacity building, access to new technologies, and promotion of entrepreneurship through specialized training programs.
* **Action Required:** Avail of the training and development programs offered by PMFME and NIFTEM, and integrate new technologies to remain competitive.
**Stakeholder: Food Processing Industries**
* **Impact:** Encouragement to adopt new technologies, special focus on cold chain projects, and integration of advanced machinery and practices to improve global competitiveness.
* **Action Required:** Adopt new technologies to align with international standards, invest in cold chain projects and improve overall operational efficiency.
**Stakeholder: Educational and Technical Institutions (Schools, ITIs, Polytechnics, etc.)**
* **Impact:** Collaboration with FICSI to offer specialized training programmes.
* **Action Required:** Partner with FICSI to develop and implement industry-aligned training programs.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Food Processing Industries: The primary ministry responsible for initiatives aimed at bridging the skills gap in the food processing sector.
Food Industry Capacity and Skill Initiative (FICSI): Sector Skill Council for Food Processing established to bridge skills gap.
Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme: Scheme with a capacity building training component conducted by State/UT Governments.
National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM): Institute of National Importance (INI) located in Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu) and Kundli (Haryana) that conducts skill/capacity building/entrepreneurship development programmes.
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): Program collaborated with the FICSI for food-processing job roles training.
Ministry of Food Processing Industries
Initiatives to Bridge Skills Gap in Food
Processing Sector
Strengthening Skill Development in the Food Processing
Industry
Empowering Food Processing Sector Through Structured
Skill Training
प्रव तथ: 04 DEC 2025 3:18PM by PIB Delhi
The Government has taken several initiatives to bridge the skills gap in the food-processing sector. For
imparting skill training, the Food Industry Capacity and Skill Initiative (FICSI), the Sector Skill Council
for Food Processing that was established by Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
(MSDE), has more than 60 job roles approved by NCVET (National Council for Vocational Education and
Training). se job roles are approved as per qualification packs that are created by the experts based on
industry requirements. All qualification packs are updated after every 36 months to reflect the current
requirements of the industry. approved job roles include emerging areas like plant based proteins, fortified
foods and micro credentials covering FSSAI mandated requirements and frameworks designed to ensure
safety and integrity of food products. In addition, Ministry of Food Processing Industries ensures to
provide the sector related short term training through its schemes and Institutions.
In addition, Prime Minister's Formalization of Micro Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme being implemented
by Ministry of Food Processing Industries has a capacity building training component, under which
capacity building trainings are conducted by the State/UT Governments. It envisages short-term training
of 24 Hours/3 Days, Food Processing EDP (Entrepreneurship Development Programme) Training for all
applicants viz. individuals and Groups (SHGs/ FPOs/ Cooperatives) recommended for availing credit
linked grant by District Level Committee (DLC) and 8 hours/1 day training to SHG beneficiaries of Seed
Capital under the scheme engaged in micro food processing. 1,09,312 beneficiaries have been trained
across India from 2020-21 till 2024-25.
Besides the above, two Institute of National Importance (INI’s) viz. National Institute of Food Technology
Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) located at Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu) and Kundli (Haryana)
under the administrative control of this Ministry have, through their short-term skill/capacity
building/entrepreneurship development programmes, trained 32255 and1516 persons respectively during
the period from 2018-19 till 2024-25.
The Food Industry Capacity and Skill Initiative [FICSI], the Sector Skill Council for Food Processing
under Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, have launched specialized training
programmes in partnership with educational and technical institutions. FICSI has trained and certified
over 2.72 lakh candidates in food-processing job roles since 2015-16, which include 2.60 lakhcandidates under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) in collaboration with
Schools, ITIs, Polytechnics, Food Technology Institutes, Food Processing Industries and State Skill
Missions.
Through implementation of Central Sector Schemes namely Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana
(PMKSY) and Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industries (PLIFPIs) and
Centrally Sponsored Scheme namely Prime Minister’s Formalization of Micro Enterprises (PMFME), the
Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has been undertaking several initiatives to encourage the
adoption of new technologies in the food processing sector to meet international standards. Special focus
is given to cold chain projects and food processing units that incorporate advanced machinery and
practices to ensure global competitiveness.
Further, NIFTEM-Thanjavur under MoFPI has developed over 110 ready-to-commercialize technologies,
including advanced equipment such as mobile food processing units and 3D food printing models, while
maintaining a strong patent portfolio in packaging, drying devices, and nutrient-enriched products. More
than 75 technologies have already been transferred nationwide, supported by a dedicated Technology
Transfer Cell, sponsored research, and turnkey project assistance.
Similarly, NIFTEM-Kundli under MoFPI has successfully transferred 52 technologies to industries, start-
ups, and entrepreneurs, while promoting rural innovation through its Village Adoption Programme.
The short-term training programmes undertaken by the both institutes are designed to integrate the latest
technological advancements, ensuring that beneficiaries acquire skills aligned with the current and
emerging needs of the food processing sector and are aimed to build industry-relevant competencies and
promote entrepreneurship and employment generation. These training programmes offer hands-on
exposure to RTE/RTC foods, novel packaging, ultrasonication, and food microbiology, alongside Good
Manufacturing Practices and HACCP/ISO standards. These initiatives empower entrepreneurs, SHGs,
FPOs, and youth by integrating modern skills with global benchmarks, ensuring India’s food processing
sector remains competitive and innovation-driven.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Shri Ravneet Singh in
a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
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