**Executive Summary**
This document presents the Ministry of Food Processing Industries' (MoFPI) response to a question regarding the establishment of NABL-accredited food testing laboratories under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY). The MoFPI has floated an Expression of Interest (EOI) for establishing 100 laboratories with a total financial outlay of ₹500 crore. The EOI is open until 10.02.2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **FSQAI Scheme:**
* MoFPI floated an EOI on 21.11.2025 for establishing 100 NABL-accredited food-testing laboratories under the Food Safety & Quality Assurance Infrastructure (FSQAI) Scheme.
* The total financial outlay is ₹500 crore.
* The maximum financial assistance is ₹5 crore per project.
* **Implementation Timeline:**
* The EOI is open until 10.02.2026.
* Approved projects must be completed and operational within 24 months (General Areas) or 30 months (Difficult Areas) from the date of the approval letter.
* The selection process will begin after the EOI closure.
* As of the response date, no funds have been released or utilized.
* **Laboratory Location:**
* The FSQAI Scheme is demand-driven; proposals are invited through EOIs.
* The Ministry does not identify or shortlist locations.
* Proposals, including those from the Karur Parliamentary Constituency and its Assembly segments, will be considered based on merit per scheme guidelines.
* **Laboratory Functions:**
* Laboratories will facilitate testing for food safety parameters, quality standards, contaminants, residues, and microbiological parameters.
* The laboratories will enable compliance with FSSAI regulations and export standards.
* The intent is to reduce turnaround time and costs, enhance market access, promote value addition, and support the production of safe food.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Farmers, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Self Help Groups (SHGs), Micro and Small Food Processing Units**
* **Impact:** Enhanced ability to conduct quality testing of produce (millets, pulses, oilseeds, milk, fruits, vegetables, seafood). Facilitation of compliance with FSSAI and export standards. Access to better market opportunities, value addition to their products, and support for producing high-quality, safe food products.
* **Action Required:** May consider submitting proposals under the FSQAI scheme to establish testing facilities.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY): Scheme under which the establishment of food testing laboratories is proposed.
Food Safety & Quality Assurance Infrastructure (FSQAI) Scheme: The specific scheme under PMKSY used to establish food testing laboratories.
Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI): The ministry responsible for the FSQAI Scheme and the establishment of food testing laboratories.
Food Processing Industries: The industry relevant to the policy, particularly the need for food testing laboratories.
SAMPADA Portal: The Ministry's portal through which proposals for the FSQAI Scheme are invited.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 1082
ANSWERED ON 05TH FEBRUARY, 2026
ESTABLISHMENT OF FOOD TESTING LABORATORIES UNDER PMKSY
1082. MS. S JOTHIMANI:
Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has approved or proposes to establish hundred NABL-
accredited food testing laboratories across country under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada
Yojana (PMKSY) during 2025–26, if so, the details thereof along with total financial
outlay and implementation timeline;
(b) the number of such laboratories sanctioned, operationalised, under implementation as on
date, along with the funds released and utilised;
(c) whether any locations in Karur Parliamentary Constituency, including Assembly
segments of Karur, Manapparai, Vedasandur, Viralimalai, Aravakurichi, and Kadavur,
have been identified or shortlisted for setting up these laboratories and if so, the details
thereof along with the present status and timelines;
(d) the criteria adopted for selection of locations if no such laboratory is proposed in above-
mentioned areas and whether proposals from Tamil Nadu, particularly Karur region, are
under consideration and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the manner in which these laboratories would support farmers, Farmer Producer
Organisations (FPOs), Self Help Groups (SHGs), micro and small food processing units
in quality testing of produce such as millets, pulses, oilseeds, milk, fruits, vegetables,
seafood, facilitate compliance with FSSAI, export standards?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
(SHRI RAVNEET SINGH)
(a) & (b): Under the Food Safety & Quality Assurance Infrastructure (FSQAI) Scheme, the
Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has floated Expression of Interest (EOI) on
21.11.2025 on SAMPADA portal of the Ministry, for the establishment of 100 NABL-accredited
food-testing laboratories across the country with total financial outlay of Rs.500.00 crore. The
EOI is open till 10.02.2026. The scheme provides for a maximum financial assistance of ₹5
crore per project. The approved projects are required to be completed and made operational
within 24 months from the date of issue of the approval letter in General Areas, and within 30
months in Difficult Areas.The selection process will be undertaken after the closure of EOI. As
on date, no funds have been released or utilised against the current EOI.
(c) & (d): The FSQAI Scheme is demand-driven in nature. Proposals are invited on an all-India
basis through EOIs floated from time to time on the Ministry’s SAMPADA Portal. Ministry doesnot identify or shortlist any location for setting-up of Food Testing Laboratory on its own. The
proposals received on the SAMPADA Portal will be considered on the basis of merit as per
scheme guidelines including those from the Karur Parliamentary Constituency and its Assembly
segments of Karur, Manapparai, Vedasandur, Viralimalai, Aravakurichi, and Kadavur, if
received.
(e): The laboratories will facilitate testing for food safety parameters, quality standards,
contaminants, residues and microbiological parameters, thereby enabling stakeholders to comply
with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations, as well as domestic and
international export standards. Improved access to testing infrastructure is expected to reduce
turnaround time and costs, enhance market access, promote value addition, and support the
production of safe, high-quality food products.
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