Parliament Question: Impact of PLI scheme in boosting processing capacity for Millet based products

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 876 ANSWERED ON 06TH FEBRUARY, 2026 IMPACT OF PLI SCHEME IN BOOSTING PROCESSING CAPACITY FOR MILLET BASED PRODUCTS 876. SMT. SUMITRA BALMIK: Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state: (a) the impact of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme in boosting the processing capacity for Millet-based products (Sri Anna) in Madhya Pradesh specifically in tribal districts like Dindori and Mandla; (b) whether Government is supporting Startups that are developing “Ready-to-Eat” millet products to cater to the global health-food market, thereby increasing income for tribal farmers; and (c) the steps taken to ensure that small processing units also benefit from these PLI incentives, preventing the monopoly of large corporate players? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI RAVNEET SINGH) (a): The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) is implementing the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for the Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI) for a period from FY 2021-22 to FY 2026-27. One component of the scheme focuses on Millet-Based Products, with an outlay of Rs. 800 crores. This component was launched keeping in view International Year of Millets (IYOM). The objectives of the PLI Scheme for Millet-Based Products (PLISMBP) are to increase the use of millets in food products and promote their value addition by incentivizing the manufacturing and sale of selected millet-based products in both domestic and export markets. As on date, 29 applicants have been approved under PLISMBP component of the scheme for millet-based units at 45 locations throughout the country including one millet processing unit in Mandla District of Madhya Pradesh. (b): The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the administrative control of the Department of Commerce has launched the initiative “BHARATI” (Bharat’s Hub for Agritech, Resilience, Advancement and Incubation for Export Enablement), designed to empower agri-food and agri-tech startups, accelerate their journey, promote innovation and create new export opportunities for young entrepreneurs. Apart from incentivizing millets-based food processing units under PLISMBP, millet-based units are also eligible for availing benefits under other MoFPI schemes like Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) and Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) across the country. (c): Out of 169 applicants approved under PLISFPI for incentives, 69 applicants are under Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) category. In addition, 40 contract manufacturing units of main approved applicants are also from MSME. *****