Parliament Question: Marine Food Processing Schemes in Tamil Nadu

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3068 ANSWERED ON 06TH AUGUST, 2026 MARINE FOOD PROCESSING SCHEMES IN TAMIL NADU 3068. SHRI NAVASKANI K: Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has implemented any schemes to strengthen marine food processing, value addition and cold chain infrastructure in Tamil Nadu particularly in Ramanathapuram district during the last three years and if so, the details thereof; (b) the details of food processing units, cold storage facilities, integrated cold chain projects, freezing, packaging, testing, quality assurance and value addition infrastructure approved or supported in Tamil Nadu including Ramanathapuram district; (c) the details of financial assistance sanctioned, released and utilised for marine food processing and value addition projects in Tamil Nadu during the last three years; (d) whether the Government has taken measures to encourage private investment, technology upgradation, product diversification, quality certification, branding and export promotion for processed marine products from Ramanathapuram district and if so, the details thereof; and (e) the initiatives proposed to reduce post-harvest losses, increase value addition, generate employment and enhance the income of fishers and food processing entrepreneurs in the said district? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI CHIRAG PASWAN) (a): To strengthen the overall food processing sector, including marine food processing, value addition, and cold chain infrastructure, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) is implementing three key schemes: (i) The central sector Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) (ii) The central sector Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI) (iii) The centrally sponsored PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme. These schemes are being implemented across the country, including Tamil Nadu and its Ramanathapuram district. (b): The following table provides the details of projects approved under various component schemes of PMKSY in the State of Tamil Nadu: Sl. Component Scheme under PMKSY Type of projects No. of No. supported approved projects 1 Creation of Infrastructure for Agro Processing Agro Processing 14 Clusters Clusters 2 Creation of Backward and Forward Linkages Backward and Forward 9 [discontinued w.e.f. 01.04.2021] Linkages project 3 Integrated Cold Chain & Value Addition Integrated Cold Chain 26 Infrastructure projects4 Creation/ Expansion of Food Processing and Food Processing units 43 Preservation Capacities 5 Food Safety and Quality Assurance Food Testing 23 Infrastructure (FS&QAI)- Food Testing Laboratories Laboratories) 6 Mega Food Parks scheme Mega Food park projects 1 [discontinued w.e.f. 01.04.2021] 7 Operation Greens Operation Greens 4 project 8 Research & Development in Food Processing Research & 51 Sector Development project Total 171 As of 31.01.2026, based on information provided by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), 188 cold storages have been created in Tamil Nadu, which includes cold storages set up as constituent facilities under various PMKSY schemes of MoFPI. Under PLISFPI, 19 units of approved applicants are currently operational in Tamil Nadu. These applicants have made a total investment of over ₹390 crore across different food processing segments, facilitating the addition of 1.79 lakh MT per annum of food processing capacity in the State. Under PMKSY, as of 30.06.2026, no project has been approved specifically in Ramanathapuram district. (c) to (e): PMKSY and PLISFPI are demand-driven schemes that invite nationwide applications through Expression of Interest (EoI) rounds based on fund availability. Eligible entities can apply online for grants and subsidies to establish food processing projects. Under PMKSY, the R&D component supports universities, IITs, government institutions, R&D laboratories, and CSIR-recognised private units in developing sectoral innovations. Under PLISFPI, marine products qualify for performance-linked incentives on incremental sales, and the scheme also offers a 50% financial incentive for branding and marketing abroad (capped at 3% of sales or ₹50 crore annually). The centrally sponsored PMFME scheme aids micro-enterprises with a 35% capital subsidy (up to ₹10 lakh per unit) and provides 50% grants-in-aid for branding. These schemes collectively catalyze private investment, expand processing capacity, and drive technology upgradation, product diversification, quality certification, and branding for marine products. In turn, they reduce post-harvest losses, boost domestic value addition, generate direct and indirect employment, and enhance the incomes of fish farmers and food processing entrepreneurs. No marine-specific project has been approved under PMKSY in Tamil Nadu over the last three years. *****