Parliament Question: Setting up of Food Processing and Value Addition Units in West Khasi Hills

**Executive Summary** This document is the response from the Minister of State for Food Processing Industries to an unstarred question in Lok Sabha on February 12, 2026. The question inquired about government initiatives to set up food processing units and value addition units in the Ri-Bhoi and West Khasi Hills districts, details of approved projects under PMFME and PMKSY schemes in the last five years, and steps taken to provide cold storage, packaging, and market linkages. The document details government support through various schemes but clarifies that the Ministry does not directly set up the units. **Key Points / Main Content** * **Government Role:** * The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) does not directly set up food processing industries. * MoFPI incentivizes setting up industries through schemes that are demand driven and not region/state specific. * **Schemes Involved:** * PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme. * Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY). * Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI) * **PMFME Scheme Progress (Ri-Bhoi District):** * Loans for 2 micro food processing enterprises in pineapple processing sanctioned in the last five years. * 1 loan has been sanctioned in Spice processing during the last five years. * **PMFME Scheme Progress (West Khasi Hills District):** * Loans for 8 micro food processing enterprises in fruit-based products (including pineapple) sanctioned in the last five years. * **PMKSY Scheme Progress (Ri-Bhoi District):** * Total 2 food processing projects approved. * One project with a project cost of Rs. 9.92 crore and a grant-in-aid of Rs. 4.61 crore sanctioned in the last five years. * **Financial Assistance:** * MoFPI provides financial assistance to eligible entrepreneurs for establishing food processing industries. * Assistance is provided for perishable food products through three schemes and related guidelines. * **Branding and Marketing:** * The PMFME scheme supports Farmer Producer Organizations/Self Help Groups/Cooperatives/Special Purpose Vehicle for developing common packaging & branding. * The support includes provision for quality control, standardization, and adherence to food safety parameters. * **Cold Storage:** * MoFPI does not provide financial assistance for standalone cold storage facilities. * MoFPI incentivizes the creation of cold storage infrastructure as part of food processing projects under PMKSY. * Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is implementing Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH). * MIDH provides capital assistance for horticulture activities, including the construction/expansion/modernization of cold storages (up to 5000 MT). **Impact Analysis** **Entrepreneurs and Businesses in Ri-Bhoi and West Khasi Hills:** * **Impact:** The schemes aim to increase value addition of food products, improve supply chain management, provide better returns to farmers, reduce wastage, and create off-farm employment opportunities. Entrepreneurs can access loans and financial assistance for setting up or expanding food processing units. * **Action Required:** Eligible entrepreneurs should apply for financial assistance under the PMFME and PMKSY schemes for setting up or expanding food processing industries. They should leverage available support for branding and marketing and explore integration of cold storage facilities into their projects. **Farmers (especially Pineapple, Turmeric, and Black Pepper Cultivators):** * **Impact:** Increased market linkages, better prices for their produce, and reduced wastage due to improved storage and processing facilities. * **Action Required:** Farmers should organize themselves into Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) or Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to leverage the support available under the PMFME scheme for branding, marketing, and value addition of their produce. **Consumers:** * **Impact:** Access to standardized, quality-controlled food products. * **Action Required:** No direct action required.

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