**Executive Summary**
The document addresses Unstarred Question No. 3102 regarding the establishment of a Soyabean Agro Processing Cluster in Nanded, Maharashtra, answered on December 18th, 2025, in Lok Sabha. It details the government's initiatives to support agro-processing and oilseed production, particularly concerning soybean in the Nanded district. There are no deadlines or dates other than the date the answer was given, December 18, 2025, and the production year of 2025-26.
**Key Points / Main Content**
*Agro Processing Cluster (APC) Scheme:*
* The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has been implementing the APC scheme under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) since 2017 to develop modern infrastructure for food processing units.
* The scheme aims to encourage entrepreneurs to set up food processing units based on a cluster approach, linking farmers to processors and markets with modern infrastructure.
* As of December 18, 2025, the Ministry has approved 5 agro processing clusters in Maharashtra.
*Soybean Production in Nanded:*
* Nanded district is rich in soybean production.
* The area of soybean production in Nanded for the year 2025-26 is 4.56 lakh ha, with a production of 6.15 lakh tonnes and a yield of 1350 kg/ha (as per 1st Advance Estimates).
* The APC scheme is demand-driven and not state/district/crop specific, with applications invited online from potential investors.
*National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-OS):*
* The Government has approved NMEO-OS to boost domestic oilseed production, including soybean, and achieve self-reliance in edible oils.
* The mission is implemented across 29 States/UTs, including Maharashtra, following a cluster-based approach with market linkages.
* Farmers are provided with free high-quality seeds for up to one hectare per farmer, along with training on Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs).
* Procurement from farmers is ensured at Minimum Support Price (MSP) through Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA).
*Minimum Support Price (MSP):*
* The government fixes MSP for oilseed crops, including soybean, to provide a 1.5 times return over the average cost of production.
* The MSP for Soybean Yellow (Rs. per quintal) for the years 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 are Rs. 4300, Rs. 4600, Rs. 4892, and Rs. 5328, respectively.
**Impact Analysis**
*Farmers in Nanded, Maharashtra*
*Impact*
* Increased income and farm gate profitability due to better prices for farm produce as a result of enhanced food processing infrastructure and market linkages.
* Access to free high-quality seeds, training on Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), and ensured procurement at Minimum Support Price (MSP) under NMEO-OS.
*Action Required*
* Engage with Value Chain Partners (FPOs, cooperatives, etc.) to participate in the NMEO-OS and APC schemes.
* Utilize available resources and infrastructure for improved soybean production and market access.
*Potential Investors / Entrepreneurs*
*Impact*
* Opportunity to establish food processing units in Maharashtra through the APC scheme.
* Access to modern infrastructure and common facilities to set up food processing units based on a cluster approach.
*Action Required*
* Submit online applications against Expression of Interest (Eol) issued by the Ministry to participate in the APC scheme.
*Consumers of Edible Oils*
*Impact*
* Potential for greater self-reliance in domestic edible oil production, leading to more stable prices and availability of edible oils.
*Action Required*
* No specific action required.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI): The primary ministry responsible for implementing the schemes discussed in the document.
Scheme for Creation of Infrastructure for Agro Processing Clusters (APC): A key program aimed at developing modern infrastructure to promote food processing units.
Maharashtra: The state where the Agro Processing Cluster Scheme is being implemented and where Nanded district is located.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY): The umbrella scheme under which APC operates, aimed at developing modern infrastructure in the agricultural sector.
National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds (NMEO-OS): Mission aimed at boosting domestic oilseeds production, including soybean.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3102
ANSWERED ON 18TH DECEMBER, 2025
SOYABEAN AGRO PROCESSING CLUSTER IN NANDED
3102. SHRI CHAVAN RAVINDRA VASANTRAO:
Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:
(a) the total number of clusters approved and operationalised under the Agro Processing
Cluster Scheme in the State of Maharashtra;
(b) the manner in which the said scheme would be helpful in increasing the income of farmers;
(c) whether the Nanded district of Maharashtra is rich in potential soyabean production in the
country and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government proposes to establish a soyabean Agro Processing Cluster in
Nanded, Maharashtra and if so, the details thereof;
(e) the time by which the said cluster is likely to be established and if not, the reasons thereof;
and
(f) the other steps taken or being taken by the Government for the benefit of farmers of
Nanded, Maharashtra to provide appropriate market for their produce?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
(SHRI RAVNEET SINGH)
(a): The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has been implementing a Scheme for
Creation of Infrastructure for Agro Processing Clusters (APC), a component scheme of the
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) for development of modern infrastructure to
encourage entrepreneurs to set up food processing units based on cluster approach in the country
since 2017. As on date, Ministry has approved 5 agro processing clusters in the State of
Maharashtra under the scheme. All 5 APCs are operationalised.
(b): The scheme aims at development of modern infrastructure and common facilities to
encourage group of entrepreneurs to set up food processing units based on cluster approach by
linking groups of producers/ farmers to the processors and markets through well-equipped supply
chain with modern infrastructure. With Creation of Food Processing Infrastructure, the demand
for farm produce which is raw material for food processing industries increases leading to better
prices to farmers and increasing farm gate profitability.
(c): Yes, Nanded district of Maharashtra is rich in soyabean production. The area, production
and yield of soybean in Nanded District of Maharashtra during the year 2025-26 are as under:Year Area (lakh ha) Production (lakh tonnes) Yield (kg/ha)
2025-26* 4.56 6.15 1350
* As per 1st Advance Estimates of area, production, productivity-State Government of
Maharashtra
(d) & (e): The APC scheme is not state/district/crop specific. Ministry does not set up any
Agro Processing Clusters on its own. Scheme for Creation of Infrastructure for Agro Processing
Clusters (APC) is a demand driven scheme under which applications are invited online from the
potential investors / entrepreneurs against Expression of Interest (Eol) issued by the Ministry from
time to time.
(f): The Government of India has approved the National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds
(NMEO-OS) to boost the domestic oilseeds production and to strive towards self-reliance in edible
oils. The mission aims to enhance the production of primary oilseed crops, including soybean and
to increase collection, extraction, and recovery efficiency from secondary sources such as
cottonseed, rice bran, corn oil, and tree-borne oils.
The mission is being implemented across 29 States/UTs, including Maharashtra and
follows a cluster-based approach with market linkages. The Value Chain Clusters are managed by
Value Chain Partners such as Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), cooperatives, and other
implementing agencies. Under these clusters, farmers are provided free high-quality seeds for an
area of up to one hectare per farmer, along with training on Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs).
Moreover, procurement from farmers is also ensured at Minimum Support Price (MSP) through
Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA).
In addition, the mission also supports the establishment and upgradation of post-harvest
infrastructure, including oil mills, to improve oil recovery from both primary and secondary
sources. This support aims to strengthen post-harvest infrastructure, promote value addition,
enhance market access, and ensure remunerative prices for farmers’ oilseed produce.
Further, Government also fixes (MSP) for oilseeds crops including soybean every year in
line with the principle of providing 1.5 times return over all India weighted average cost of
production, details of MSP fixed for Soybean Yellow during 2022-23 to 2025-26 are as under:
Year MSP (Rs. per quintal)
2022-23 4300
2023-24 4600
2024-25 4892
2025-26 5328
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