Lok Sabha Question No. 4544 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-27
Subject: Consumption of Coarse Grains
Ministry: FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Dr. Sambit Patra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4544

TO BE ANSWERED ON 27 TH  MARCH, 2025

## CONSUMPTION OF COARSE GRAINS

## 4544.   DR. SAMBIT PATRA:

Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has launched any scheme for the promotion of the production and consumption of millets, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has formulated any plan for extensive publicity to promote the production and consumption of millets (Shri Anna), if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of the funds allocated and utilized under this scheme during the last financial year;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to provide any special financial assistance to promote the Shri Anna scheme in the North Eastern States and Odisha, if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether any Committee has been constituted to study the employment opportunities generated through the implementation of this scheme, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI RAVNEET SINGH)

(a) to (c): Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has been incentivizing setting up/expansion of Food Processing Industries including processing of millet-based products (Shree Anna) through its Central Sector Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) Scheme, Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing  Industry  (PLISFPI)  and  Centrally  sponsored  PM  Formalization  of  Micro  Food  Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme across the country including North Eastern States and Odisha. These schemes are not region specific but demand driven.

Ministry extends financial support to prospective entrepreneurs for setting up of different kinds of food processing industries including millet processing, as per respective scheme guidelines.

One component of PLISFPI focuses on Millet-Based Products (MBP), with an outlay of Rs. 800 crores. The objectives of the PLI Scheme for Millet-Based Products (PLISMBP) are to increase the use of millets in food products and promote their value addition by incentivizing the manufacturing and sale of selected milletbased products in both domestic and export markets. As on date, out of total allocation of Rs. 800 crores for PLISMBP, an amount of Rs.793.27 crore has been approved to incentivise 29 applicants, which includes 8 large and 21 Small & Medium entities.

The steps taken to promote consumption and demand for millet-based products are as under:

⁠(i)     'Millet Mahotsav' were organised in 30 districts of various States/UTs as a part of International Year of Millet (IYOM) in 2023 to provide support for micro food processing entrepreneurs, particularly those engaged in the processing of millet products. It aimed to foster start-ups, entrepreneurs and boost the micro sector of the food industry.

(ii)    Further, Department of Commerce (DoC) through Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) organised Trade Fairs, exhibitions and Millet conclave for awareness, usage and export promotion of millets. Under IYOM in 2023, a host of activities were conducted by DoC  through  APEDA  in  close  association  with Indian  Embassies/Missions  and  Government departments, which included millet themed participation in international trade fairs, sampling events, millet  galleries,  international  buyer  seller  meets  etc.  The  campaign  in  print/electronic  media  for promotion and branding of Indian Millets- Shree Anna in key international markets during prominent trade fairs was also initiated in collaboration with India Brand Equity Foundation.

(iii)   National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management, Thanjavur (NIFTEMT) organised 'National Millet Summit' on the theme 'Millets: Science, Technology & Innovation' on 6 th & 7 th May 2023 at SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai.

(iv)     National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management, Kundli (NIFTEM-K) organised  'International  Conference  on  Millets  for  Achieving  Nutritional  and  Economic  Security' during 24-26 August, 2023 at Kundli, Haryana.

(v)      NIFTEM-T and ICAR - National Rice Research Institute (NRRI), Cuttak organized 'National Millet Expo-2023' on 6 th  October 2023 at MKCG Platinum Jubilee Auditorium, NRRI, Cuttak.

(vi)  Ministry  also  organized  six  (6)  Promotional  Events,  focused  on  Millets  through  Industry Associations. The details of the events is attached at Annexure .

(vii) Global Food Event 'World Food India 2023' during 3rd - 5th November, 2023 in New Delhi with Millets as one of its key focus areas was organized. The event was intended to provide Indian producers/ processors/ institutions a platform to collaborate and partner with global stakeholders.

(d): In order to encourage entrepreneurs in the food processing sector from Difficult Areas [Difficult Area for proposals under PMKSY Scheme means North-Eastern States (including Sikkim), State of Uttarakhand, State of Himachal Pradesh, Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Notified ITDP (Integrated Tribal Development Projects) areas and Islands (Union Territories of Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep)], the following preferential provisions have been made in component scheme guidelines of PMKSY-

- i. Net  Worth requirement  reduced  to amount  equal  to  grant  sought,  in  comparison  to  1.5  times  for proposals from general areas;
- ii. Term Loan requirement reduced to 10% of eligible project cost, in comparison to 20% for proposals from general areas;
- iii. Equity requirement reduced to 10% of eligible project cost, in comparison to 20% for proposals from general areas;
- iv. Quantum of grant at enhanced level of 50% of eligible project cost, in comparison to 35% for proposals from general areas (Subject to the maximum ceiling under respective sub-schemes);
- v. Requirement of minimum project cost reduced to Rupees One Crore, in comparison to rupees Three Crores in r/o Creation / Expansion of Food Processing & Preservation Capacities Scheme projects [for other schemes, no such criteria is fixed]

(e): No  Committee  has  been  constituted  to  study  the  employment  opportunities  generated  through  the implementation of the schemes of the MoFPI. However, schemes administered by MoFPI have resulted in creation of substantial off-farm employment opportunities in Food Processing Sector.

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## ANNEXURE  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (a)  to  (c)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †4544 FOR ANSWER ON 27 th  MARCH, 2025 REGARDING 'CONSUMPTION OF COARSE GRAINS'

## Ministry supported Promotional Events, focused on Millets through Industry Associations

|   S. No. | Organizer                                                     | Details of event                                                                                                          | Date Place                       |
|----------|---------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------|
|        1 | Knowledge Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI)             | Conclave on Emerging opportunities in Food Processing Schemes and Incentives                                              | 21.06.2023Nagpur, Maharashtra    |
|        2 | PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI)                 | Ensuring Food Security through Processing and Export                                                                      | 21.08.2023New Delhi              |
|        3 | Associated Chambers of Commerce &Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) | Conference on Strengthening Food Processing                                                                               | 26.06.2023Mehsana, Gujarat       |
|        4 | ASSOCHAM                                                      | Conference on Strengthening Food Processing in Saurashtra region                                                          | 26.05.2023Rajkot, Gujarat        |
|        5 | Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI)       | Food Processor's Round Table: Finance, Technology &Market                                                                 | 06.12.2023Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu |
|        6 | KCCI                                                          | Conclave on Emerging Opportunities in Food Processing- Schemes & Incentives Exports- Food Safety, quality & Certification | 25.11.2023Surat, Gujarat         |

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