Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) implements a Research and Development (RD) scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY), providing financial assistance to various institutions for demand-driven RD in the food processing sector. While the scheme is open to all communities, including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes, it lacks specific provisions for products tailored to these communities. Since 2008-09, 236 RD projects have been sanctioned, with 225 completed, resulting in 20 patents filed and 52 new technologies commercialized.
Key Points / Main Content:
RD Scheme Overview:
• MoFPI does not conduct RD work directly but implements an RD scheme as part of the Human Resource Institutions Scheme under PMKSY.
• The scheme provides Grant-in-aid to Universities, IITs, Central/State Government Institutions, Government-funded organizations, RD laboratories, and CSIR-recognized RD units in the private sector.
• The scheme aims to benefit the food processing industry through product and process development, efficient technologies, improved packaging, and value addition.
• It also focuses on standardizing additives, coloring agents, preservatives, pesticide residues, chemical/microbiological contaminants, and naturally occurring toxic substances within permissible limits.
Financial Assistance:
• Government organizations/institutions receive 100% grant-in-aid for equipment, consumables, and Research Fellow expenditures.
• Private organizations/universities/institutions/RD laboratories/CSIR-recognized RD units in the private sector receive 50% of equipment cost in general areas and 70% in difficult areas.
Eligibility and Focus:
• The Expression of Interest (EOI) is open for all communities, including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes.
• However, there are no specific guidelines for products tailored to address the needs of these communities.
Project Outcomes:
• Since 2008-09, 236 RD projects have been sanctioned, with 225 completed.
• 20 patents have been filed from the sanctioned RD projects.
• 52 new technologies have been commercialized/transferred for developed products, processes, equipment/prototypes.
Impact Analysis:
Government Organizations/Institutions:
• Impact: Eligible for 100% grant-in-aid for RD projects, potentially leading to advancements in food processing technologies.
• Action Required: Promote and undertake demand-driven RD in the food processing sector, focusing on product and process development.
Private Organizations/Universities/Institutions/RD Laboratories/CSIR-recognized RD Units:
• Impact: Eligible for partial financial assistance (50% or 70% of equipment cost) for RD projects, fostering innovation in food processing.
• Action Required: Participate in the RD scheme by submitting proposals and conducting demand-driven research.
Food Processing Industry:
• Impact: Beneficiaries of the scheme through product and process development, efficient technologies, improved packaging, and value addition.
• Action Required: Adopt and commercialize new technologies and processes developed through the RD scheme.
Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes/Other Backward Classes Communities:
• Impact: Can participate in the RD scheme; however, the scheme does not specifically target their needs.
• Action Required: Engage with relevant institutions to express their needs and encourage the development of tailored food processing solutions, noting current limitations within the guidelines.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI): The Indian government ministry responsible for food processing policies and initiatives.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY): An umbrella scheme under which the Human Resource Institutions Scheme, including the Research and Development Scheme, is implemented.
Research and Development (RD) Scheme: A scheme implemented by MoFPI that provides financial assistance to various institutions for demand-driven RD work in the food processing sector.
Scheduled Caste: A historically disadvantaged group in India, often targeted by government programs.
Scheduled Tribe: A historically disadvantaged group in India, often targeted by government programs.
Other Backward Class: A group of traditionally disadvantaged castes in India, often targeted by government programs.
IITs: Indian Institutes of Technology, premier engineering and technology institutes in India.
CSIR: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, a premier research and development organization in India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3186
ANSWERED ON 07TH AUGUST, 2025
R&D INITIATIVES FOR DEVELOPING FOOD PROCESSING TECHNOLOGIES
3186. ADV. CHANDRA SHEKHAR:
Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:
(a) the Research and Development (R&D) being undertaken by the Government to develop innovative food
processing technologies and products tailored to the needs of Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and Other
Backward Class communities; and
(b) the number of R&D projects sanctioned and completed under these initiatives along with their
anticipated outcomes and benefits for these communities?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
(SHRI RAVNEET SINGH)
(a). The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) does not undertake Research and development
work on its own. However, MoFPI is implementing a Research and Development Scheme, which is a part of
Human Resource & Institutions Scheme under the umbrella scheme i.e. Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA
Yojana (PMKSY). Under the scheme, financial assistance as Grant-in-aid is given to various Universities, IITs,
Central/ State Government Institutions, Government funded organizations, R&D laboratories and CSIR
recognized R&D units in private sector to promote and undertake demand driven R&D work in food processing
sector. The objective of the scheme is to benefit food processing industry in terms of product and process
development, efficient technologies, improved packaging, value addition etc. with commercial value along
with standardization of various factors viz. additives, colouring agents, preservatives, pesticide residues,
chemical contaminants, microbiological contaminants and naturally occurring toxic substances within
permissible limits.
Under the scheme, R&D projects of Government organizations/ Institutions are eligible for 100% grant-in-aid
for the cost of equipment, consumables and expenditure related to Research Fellows, etc & Private
organizations/universities/institutions/R&D laboratories and CSIR recognized R&D units in private sector to
the tune of 50% of equipment cost in general areas and 70% in difficult areas. Universities, IITs, central and
state government institutions, and government-funded organizations are encouraged to promote and undertake
demand-driven R&D in the food processing sector.
Under the R&D scheme, the Expression of Interest (EOI) is open for all communities including Scheduled
Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Class communities. However, there is no specific provision in the
guidelines, for products tailored/designed to address the needs of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, or Other
Backward Class communities.
(b). Under the R&D scheme, since 2008-09 total of 236 R&D projects have been sanctioned, of which 225
have been completed and a total of 20 patents have been filed out of R&D projects sanctioned so far. Further
52 new technologies have been commercialized/transferred for products, processes & equipment/prototypes
developed.
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