Parliament Question: Development of food processing infrastructure in Maharashtra

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3275 ANSWERED ON 20TH MARCH, 2026 DEVELOPMENT OF FOOD PROCESSING INFRASTRUCTURE IN MAHARASHTRA 3275. SHRI DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK: Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state: (a) details of initiatives undertaken to develop food processing infrastructure in Maharashtra over the last five years; (b) the number of food processing units, mega food parks, agro-processing clusters and cold chain facilities that have been established or upgraded in the State; (c) the measures being taken to support farmers, food processors and entrepreneurs through financial assistance, technology adoption and market linkages, and (d) the manner in which the Ministry coordinates with Maharashtra State authorities to reduce post-harvest losses, enhance value addition and generate employment while strengthening the food processing ecosystem across rural and urban regions of the State? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI RAVNEET SINGH) (a) & (b): In order to promote and facilitate overall development of the food processing sector, Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has been incentivizing setting up of such industries through its two Central Sector Scheme viz. Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY), Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI) and a Centrally sponsored PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme. These schemes are not region or state specific but demand driven and are implemented across the country including Maharashtra. Under PMKSY, financial assistance is provided to entrepreneurs for setting up of food processing industries. The scheme is operational for a period upto 2025-26 with total outlay of Rs 6520 Crore for 15th Finance Commission Cycle. PLISFPI is, inter alia, intended to support creation of global food manufacturing champions and support Indian brands of food products in international market. The Scheme is operational for a period from 2021-22 to 2026-27 with an outlay of Rs. 10,900 crores. Under PMFME scheme, financial, technical and business support is provided for setting up / upgradation of micro food processing enterprises. The scheme is operational from 2020- 21 to 2025-26 with an outlay of Rs.10,000 Crore. The details of food processing projects approved by MoFPI under the said three schemes in the State of Maharashtra is at Annexure.(c) & (d): MoFPI provides financial assistance through its schemes to the eligible entities including farmers, food processors and entrepreneurs. These schemes aim towards increasing preservation and processing capacities, developing value-added products, bringing innovative technologies, enhancing productivity & efficiency in food processing, creating market linkages, fostering entrepreneurship and providing better returns to farmers. For promoting adoption of technology in food processing sector, MoFPI extends Grant- in-Aid to educational and research institutions including Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) recognized Research and Development (R&D) units in private sector for related demand driven R&D projects through its R&D component scheme under PMKSY. In addition, National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship & Management (NIFTEM) Kundli and NIFTEM, Thanjavur, under administrative control of MoFPI, are also engaged in R&D activities in the sector. Under Branding and Marketing component of the PMFME scheme, support is provided to Farmer Producer Organizations /Self Help Groups/Cooperatives or a Special Purpose Vehicle of micro food processing enterprises for developing a common packaging & branding with provision for quality control, standardization, and adhering to food safety parameters for consumer retail sale. Under the PMFME Scheme, MoFPI conducts regular review meetings with States/ UT authorities and lending banks to expedite financial assistance and subsidies to micro food processing enterprises including those in the State of Maharashtra. *****ANNEXURE ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) & (b) OF THE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3275 FOR ANSWER ON 20TH MARCH, 2026 REGARDING “DEVELOPMENT OF FOOD PROCESSING INFRASTRUCTURE IN MAHARASHTRA” Food Processing Industries approved/operational in Maharashtra State under corresponding component schemes of PMKSY since inception No. of projects No. of projects Sl. No. Component Scheme Approved operational 1 Mega Food Parks 3 2 Integrated Cold Chain and Value 2 77 58 Addition Infrastructure Infrastructure for Agro-Processing 3 13 5 Clusters Scheme Creation / Expansion of Food 4 Processing & Preservation 76 53 Capacities Scheme Scheme for Creation of Backward 5 10 9 and Forward Linkages 6 Operation Greens 6 3 Proposals approved in Maharashtra state under PMFME No of Micro Food Processing Industries approved with credit linked subsidy: 27360 Number of Self-Help Groups supported for Seed Capital: 53857 Food Processing based proposals approved in Maharashtra state under PLISFPI Total 41 Food Processing Projects approved with committed investment of Rs 941.98 crore *****