**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) is actively supporting the agricultural potential of the Thanjavur delta region in Tamil Nadu through various central government schemes, including PMKSY, PLISFPI, and PMFME. These schemes aim to enhance agricultural productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and promote export-oriented processing. Several projects have been sanctioned with grants and subsidies, with deadlines for approvals and assistance set for 31.10.2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Government Initiatives:**
* MoFPI incentivizes entrepreneurs to establish food processing industries in the Thanjavur delta region.
* Three Central Sector Schemes are being implemented:
* Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY)
* Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI)
* PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme
* **Objectives of the Schemes:**
* Create modern infrastructure and efficient supply chain management.
* Reduce wastage of agricultural produce and post-harvest losses.
* Enhance productivity and processing levels.
* Increase the export of processed foods.
* **Project Approvals and Financial Assistance (till 31.10.2025):**
* 105 projects sanctioned under PMKSY with approved grant in aid of Rs 487.85 crores in Tamil Nadu.
* 17,210 micro food processing enterprises approved with subsidy of Rs 387.06 crores under PMFME in Tamil Nadu.
* Food processing projects at 20 locations approved for assistance under PLISFPI with committed investments of Rs 445.23 crores in Tamil Nadu.
* **Support Infrastructure:**
* National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) in Thanjavur provides support such as handholding, mentorship, training, access to facilities (Pilot Plant, NABL-accredited Food Testing Labs), incubation, quality testing, R&D support, and networking opportunities.
**Impact Analysis**
**Entrepreneurs/Food Processing Industries**
* **Impact:**
* Incentivized to establish or expand food processing operations.
* Access to financial assistance through grants and subsidies.
* Improved infrastructure and supply chain management.
* Support from NIFTEM for training, testing, and R&D.
* **Action Required:**
* Apply for relevant schemes (PMKSY, PLISFPI, PMFME) to avail financial assistance.
* Utilize NIFTEM facilities for training, testing, and R&D.
**Farmers/Agricultural Producers**
* **Impact:**
* Reduced post-harvest losses due to improved infrastructure and supply chain.
* Enhanced productivity and market access.
* **Action Required:**
* Integrate into the improved supply chain.
* Utilise processing technologies to reduce wastage.
**Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI)**
* **Impact:**
* Overseeing the implementation of the schemes and monitoring progress.
* Ensuring effective support through institutions like NIFTEM.
* Contribution towards strengthening food processing, storage and value addition.
* **Action Required:**
* Continue to support the agricultural potential of the Thanjavur delta region in Tamil Nadu.
* Monitor project progress.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI): The central ministry responsible for incentivizing entrepreneurs and establishing related industries in the state through its Central Sector Schemes.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY): A Central Sector Scheme aimed at incentivizing entrepreneurs to establish related industries in the state.
Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI): A Central Sector Scheme aimed at incentivizing entrepreneurs to establish related industries in the state.
PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme: A Centrally sponsored scheme aimed at incentivizing entrepreneurs to establish related industries in the state.
Thanjavur delta region: A region in Tamil Nadu targeted for harnessing the agricultural potential through Central Government schemes.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1903
ANSWERED ON 11TH DECEMBER, 2025
PROPOSAL TO HARNESS THE AGRICULTURAL POTENTIAL OF THANJAVUR
DELTA REGION
1903. SHRI MURASOLI S:
Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Union Government proposes to harness the agricultural potential of the
Thanjavur delta region in Tamil Nadu through any Central Government schemes or
institutions aimed at strengthening food processing, storage and value addition, if so,
the details thereof;
(b) the details and timelines of such proposed measures to enhance agricultural
productivity, reduce post-harvest losses and promote export-oriented processing in the
region; and
(c) if not, the reasons for the absence of such Central support in this agriculturally
significant delta region?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
(SHRI RAVNEET SINGH)
(a) to (c): In view of its rich agricultural produce base, Thanjavur delta region in Tamil Nadu
has potential to develop strong Food Processing Sector and Ministry of Food Processing
Industries (MoFPI) incentivizes entrepreneurs to establish related Industries in the state
through its two Central Sector Schemes namely Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana
(PMKSY) and Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI).
MoFPI is also implementing a Centrally sponsored scheme namely PM Formalization of Micro
Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme.
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 reducing wastage of agricultural produce, reduction in post
harvest losses, enhancing productivity, increasing the processing level and enhancing the
export of the processed foods.
So far, MoFPI has sanctioned 105 projects with approved grant in aid of Rs 487.85
crores under corresponding component schemes of PMKSY in the State of Tamil Nadu till
31.10.2025.
A total of 17,210 micro food processing enterprises have been approved with subsidy
of Rs 387.06 crores for assistance under PMFME in the State of Tamil Nadu till 31.10.2025.So far, Food processing projects at 20 locations with committed investments of Rs
445.23 crores have been approved for assistance under various categories of the PLISFPI
scheme in the State of Tamil Nadu till 31.10.2025.
National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM),
an Institute of National Importance (INI), located in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, is functioning
under the administrative control of MoFPI to provide handholding support, mentorship,
training, access to facilities such as Pilot Plant, NABL-accredited Food Testing Labs,
incubation services, quality testing, R&D support, networking opportunities, etc. to the food
processing sector.
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