Parliament Question: Establishment of Pineapple Processing Industry in Assam

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6433 ANSWERED ON 02ND APRIL, 2026 ESTABLISHMENT OF PINEAPPLE PROCESSING INDUSTRY IN ASSAM 6433. SHRI PARIMAL SUKLABAIDYA: Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware that the Lakhipur area in Cachar district of Assam produces a significant quantity of pineapples and has strong potential for agro-based industries and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether the Ministry has any proposal, plan or scheme to establish pineapple processing or food processing industries in the Lakhipur region so that the benefits of this produce can reach markets across the country; and (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor along with the steps proposed to promote food processing industries in the region? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI RAVNEET SINGH) (a) to (c): 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 related industries through its two Central Sector Schemes viz. Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) & Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI) and a Centrally sponsored Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme across the country including Lakhipur area in Cachar district of Assam. These schemes are not region specific but demand driven. MoFPI does not setup any food processing Industries on its own. However, MoFPI extends financial support to prospective entrepreneurs for setting up of different kinds of food processing industries including processing of pineapple, as per respective scheme guidelines. To promote processing of local produce including pineapple processing, One District One Product (ODOP) approach has been adopted under Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme, to reap the benefit of scale in terms of procurement of inputs, availing common services and marketing of products. It provides the framework for value chain development and alignment of support infrastructure. “Pineapple” has been identified as ODOP in Cachar district of Assam. In the State of Assam, as on 31.12.2025, MoFPI has sanctioned 72 food processing projects under corresponding component schemes of PMKSY, out of which 1 project is located in Cachar district. Four food processing companies have been approved for assistance under various categories of the PLISFPI scheme in Assam State. Further, 5194 micro food processing enterprises have been approved for assistance under PMFME, out of which 358 are located in Cachar district. *****