Parliament Question: Initiatives to Bridge Skills Gap in Food Processing Sector

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 747 ANSWERED ON 04TH DECEMBER, 2025 INITIATIVES TO BRIDGE SKILLS GAP IN FOOD PROCESSING SECTOR 747. SHRI RAMASAHAYAM RAGHURAM REDDY: Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state: (a): whether the Government has taken any initiatives to bridge the skills gap in the food- processing sector as only three per cent of the workforce has formal training and if so, the details thereof; (b): whether any specialised training programmes or partnerships with educational institutions have been launched to develop a skilled workforce for the food processing sector and if so, the details thereof including the number of people trained so far; (c): the steps taken by the Government to encourage the adoption of new technologies in food processing sector to meet international standards; and (d): whether the training programmes are aligned with these technological advancements and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI RAVNEET SINGH) (a): Yes, Sir. 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). These 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. The 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 developmentprogrammes, trained 32255 and1516 persons respectively during the period from 2018-19 till 2024-25. (b) Yes, Sir. 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 lakh candidates under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) in collaboration with Schools, ITIs, Polytechnics, Food Technology Institutes, Food Processing Industries and State Skill Missions. (c) & (d): 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. *****