To strengthen India’s food processing sector, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries has taken several key initiatives to promote millet-based products and support micro, small, and large food processing units. These efforts are not only helping increase farmers’ incomes but are also creating new opportunities for entrepreneurship and employment at the grassroots level.
To ensure the overall development of the food processing industry, the ministry is encouraging the establishment and expansion of millet processing units and related infrastructure through its flagship schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY), the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing (PLISFPI), and the PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME).
The PLISFPI scheme, a dedicated component has been introduced for millet-based products (MBPs) with a total allocation of ₹800 crore. The objective of this initiative is to increase the use of millets in food products and promote value addition by incentivising the manufacturing and sale of selected millet-based products in both domestic and export markets.
So far, ₹793.27 crore out of the allocated ₹800 crore has been approved as incentives for 29 applicants, including 8 large enterprises and 21 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The PMFME scheme, millet-based products have been identified as ‘One District One Product (ODOP)’ in 21 districts across the country. Additionally, during the International Year of Millets 2023, ‘Millet Festivals’ were organised in 30 districts across various states and Union Territories.
These initiatives aimed to support micro food processing entrepreneurs, particularly startups and small enterprises engaged in millet processing. As part of this effort, 4,366 entrepreneurs involved in millet-based product manufacturing were sanctioned loans amounting to ₹226.40 crore.
The PMKSY component scheme for Creation and Expansion of Food Processing and Preservation Capacities, one millet-based food processing unit has been approved in the country.
Meanwhile, the branding and marketing component of the PMFME scheme provides support to Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), cooperatives, and Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) for developing common packaging and branding solutions. This support helps ensure compliance with quality control and food safety standards, enabling better access to consumer retail markets.
Positive Impact on Exports: Although no separate study has been conducted by the ministry to assess the direct impact of millet processing on farmers’ incomes, a significant rise in exports of approved processed agricultural food products has been recorded under the PLISFPI scheme. Compared to 2019–20, exports grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.23% by 2024–25, reflecting the effectiveness of the incentive programme.
