**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to Unstarred Question No. 1016 in Lok Sabha concerning the International Year of Millets. It addresses initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) to promote millet-based value addition, processing, and consumption, including the establishment of millet-focused infrastructure. The answer was provided on February 5th, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **International Year of Millets 2023:**
* India proposed to the United Nations to declare 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYM).
* The proposal was supported by 72 countries.
* The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared 2023 as IYM in March 2021.
* **Ministry's Initiatives to Promote Millets:**
* The Ministry has been incentivizing the setting up/expansion of Food Processing Industries, including processing of millet-based products through its two Central Sector Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) Scheme, Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI) and a Centrally sponsored PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme across the country.
* PLISFPI component focuses on Millet-Based Products (MBP) with an outlay of Rs. 800 crores for implementation during 2022-27.
* Rs.793.27 crore has been approved to incentivise 29 applicants under PLISMBP, including 8 large and 21 Small & Medium entities.
* "Millet Mahotsav" were organized in 30 districts of various States/UTs as a part of IYM 2023 to support micro food processing entrepreneurs.
* Millet and its products have been identified as One District One Product (ODOP) in 21 districts of 11 States under PMFME Scheme.
* 4,612 loans have been sanctioned with approved subsidy of Rs. 91.20 Cr for millet processing units across the country as on 31.12.2025.
* The National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) organized events such as the “National Millet Summit” and "International Conference on Millets for Achieving Nutritional and Economic Security."
* The Ministry organized six promotional events focused on Millets through Industry Associations. Details are in Annexure.
* Global Food Event “World Food India 2023" during 3rd - 5th November, 2023 in New Delhi with Millets as one of its key focus areas was organized.
* **Infrastructure Development:**
* MoFPI provides financial assistance to eligible entrepreneurs for establishing related infrastructure including processing of millet-based products.
* Schemes are demand driven and being implemented across the country including Karnataka.
* Mega Food Park Scheme has been discontinued by the Ministry since 01.04.2021. As on 31.12.2025, MoFPI has approved 2 Mega Food Parks & 3 APC under PMKSY and 14 incubation centres under PMFME Scheme in the state of Karnataka.
**Impact Analysis**
**Farmers:**
* **Impact:** Better returns, enhanced productivity, and creation of off-farm employment opportunities.
* **Action Required:** Leverage the infrastructure and schemes to enhance millet production and processing.
**Food Processing Entrepreneurs:**
* **Impact:** Support for establishing and expanding millet processing enterprises.
* **Action Required:** Apply for available schemes and subsidies, participate in organized events and leverage available resources.
**Consumers:**
* **Impact:** Increased availability of nutritious millet-based products.
* **Action Required:** Be aware of the products to enhance health and demand.
**Industry Associations:**
* **Impact:** Collaboration opportunities to promote millets and enhance the export of processed foods.
* **Action Required:** Facilitate participation in promotional events and promote collaboration among stakeholders.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI): The primary ministry responsible for promoting millet processing and related schemes, including incentives for setting up and expanding food processing industries.
PLI Scheme for Millet-Based Products (PLISMBP): A central government scheme with a significant outlay to increase the use of millets in food products and promote their value addition.
PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme: A centrally sponsored scheme that supports micro food processing enterprises across the country, including those processing millets.
Karnataka: The state that initiated the 'Year of Millets' and is a key focus area for millet processing clusters and other initiatives.
International Year of Millets (IYM 2023): A United Nations designation promoted by India to increase global awareness and consumption of millets.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1016
ANSWERED ON 05TH FEBRUARY, 2026
INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF MILLETS
1016. DR. PRABHA MALLIKARJUN:
Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has taken note of the pioneering initiative of Karnataka, which
declared 2017 as the “Year of Millets”, thereby laying the foundation for India’s successful
proposal to the United Nations to declare 2023 as the International Year of Millets and if so,
the details thereof;
(b) the key steps undertaken by the Ministry to promote millet-based value addition,
processing enterprises and branding initiatives during and after the International Year of
Millets; and
(c) whether the Ministry proposes to establish millet-focused processing clusters,
incubation centres, or Mega Food Parks in major millet-producing States like Karnataka to
sustain momentum and enhance farmer incomes through value addition and export promotion
and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
(SHRI RAVNEET SINGH)
(a): As informed by Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, to create domestic and
global demand and to provide nutritional food to the people, Government of India had proposed
to United Nations for declaring 2023 as International Year of Millets (IYM). The proposal of
India was supported by 72 countries and the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
declared 2023 as International Year of Millets during March 2021.
(b): Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has been incentivizing setting
up/expansion of Food Processing Industries including processing of millet-based products
through its two Central Sector Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) Scheme,
Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI) and a Centrally
sponsored PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme across
the country.
The steps taken to promote consumption and demand for millet-based products are as
under:
(i) One component of PLISFPI focuses on Millet-Based Products (MBP), with an outlay of
Rs. 800 crores, for implementation during 2022-27. 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, out of total allocation of Rs.
800 crores for PLISMBP, an amount of Rs.793.27 crore has been approved to incentivise 29
applicants, which includes 8 large and 21 Small & Medium entities.
(ii) “Millet Mahotsav” were organised in 30 districts of various States/UTs as a part of
International Year of Millet (IYM 2023) to provide support for micro food processing
entrepreneurs, particularly those engaged in the processing of millet products. It aimed to foster
start-ups, entrepreneurs and boost the micro sector of the food industry.
(iii) Under PMFME Scheme, Millet and its products have been identified as One District One
Product (ODOP) in 21 districts of 11 States. 17 Incubation Centers approved in 10 States
having Millet processing lines. As on 31.12.2025, 4,612 loans have been sanctioned with
approved subsidy of Rs. 91.20 Cr for millet processing units across the country.
(iv) National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management, Thanjavur
(NIFTEM-T) organised “National Millet Summit” on the theme “Millets: Science, Technology
& Innovation” on 6th& 7th May 2023 at SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai.
(v) National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management, Kundli
(NIFTEM-K) organised “International Conference on Millets for Achieving Nutritional and
Economic Security” during 24-26 August, 2023 at Kundli, Haryana.
(vi) NIFTEM-T and ICAR – National Rice Research Institute (NRRI), Cuttak organized
“National Millet Expo-2023” on 6th October 2023 at MKCG Platinum Jubilee Auditorium,
NRRI, Cuttak.
(vii) Ministry also organized six (6) Promotional Events, focused on Millets through Industry
Associations. The details of the events is attached at Annexure.
(viii) Global Food Event “World Food India 2023” during 3rd - 5th November, 2023 in New
Delhi with Millets as one of its key focus areas was organized. The event was intended to
provide Indian producers/ processors/ institutions a platform to collaborate and partner with
global stakeholders.
(c): MoFPI does not establish food processing units on its own. However, it provides
financial assistance to eligible entrepreneurs for establishing related infrastructure including
processing of millet-based products. These schemes are not region or state specific but demand
driven and being implemented across the country including Karnataka. Mega Food Park and
Creation of Infrastructure for Agro-processing Clusters (APC) components of PMKSY are
aimed at development of such Industries in clusters. The Mega Food Park Scheme has been
discontinued by the Ministry since 01.04.2021. As on 31.12.2025, MoFPI has approved 2 Mega
Food Parks & 3 APC under PMKSY and 14 incubation centres under PMFME Scheme in the
state of Karnataka.
These schemes aim towards creation of modern infrastructure with efficient supply
chain management from farm gate to retail outlet which includes storage, transportation, value
addition etc., thereby help in providing better returns to farmers,enhancing productivity,
creating off-farm employment opportunities and enhancing the export of the processed foods
*****ANNEXURE
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1016 FOR ANSWER ON 05TH FEBRUARY, 2026
REGARDING “INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF MILLETS”
Ministry supported Promotional Events, focused on Millets through Industry
Associations
S Organizer Details of event Date Place
.No
1 Knowledge Chamber of Conclave on Emerging 21.06.2023 Nagpur,
Commerce and Industry opportunities in Food Processing Maharashtra
(KCCI) Schemes and Incentives
2 PHD Chamber of Ensuring Food Security through 21.08.2023 New Delhi
Commerce and Industry Processing and Export
(PHDCCI)
3 Associated Chambers of Conference on Strengthening 26.06.2023 Mehsana,
Commerce & Industry of Food Processing Gujarat
India (ASSOCHAM)
4 ASSOCHAM Conference on Strengthening 26.05.2023 Rajkot,
Food Processing in Saurashtra Gujarat
region
5 Southern India Chamber Food Processor’s Round Table: 06.12.2023 Coimbatore,
of Commerce and Finance, Technology & Market Tamil Nadu
Industry (SICCI)
6 KCCI Conclave on Emerging 25.11.2023 Surat, Gujarat
Opportunities in Food Processing-
Schemes & Incentives Exports-
Food Safety, quality &
Certification
*****