Lok Sabha Question No. 747 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-04
Subject: Initiatives to Bridge Skills Gap in Food Processing  Sector
Ministry: FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Shri Ramasahayam Raghuram Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 747

ANSWERED ON 04 TH  DECEMBER, 2025

## INITIATIVES TO BRIDGE SKILLS GAP IN FOOD PROCESSING SECTOR

## 747. SHRI RAMASAHAYAM RAGHURAM REDDY:

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

- (a): whether the Government has taken any initiatives to bridge the skills gap in the foodprocessing sector as only three per cent  of the workforce has formal training and  if so, the details thereof;
- (b): whether  any  specialised training programmes  or  partnerships  with  educational institutions have been launched to develop a skilled workforce for the food processing sector and if so, the details thereof including the number of people trained so far;
- (c): the steps taken by the Government to encourage the adoption of new technologies in food processing sector to meet international standards; and
- (d): whether the training programmes are aligned with these technological advancements and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a): Yes, Sir. The Government has taken several initiatives to bridge the skills gap in the foodprocessing sector.  For imparting skill training, the Food Industry Capacity and Skill Initiative (FICSI), the Sector Skill Council for Food Processing that was established by Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), has more than 60 job roles approved by NCVET (National Council for Vocational Education and Training).   These job roles are approved as per qualification packs that are created by the experts based on industry requirements . All qualification packs are updated after every 36 months to reflect the current requirements of the industry. The approved job roles include emerging areas like plant based proteins, fortified foods and micro credentials covering FSSAI mandated requirements and frameworks designed to ensure safety and integrity of food products.  In addition, Ministry of Food Processing Industries ensures to provide the sector related short term training through its schemes and Institutions.

In addition, Prime Minister's Formalization of Micro Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme being implemented by Ministry of Food Processing Industries has a capacity building training component,  under  which  capacity building trainings are conducted by the State/UT Governments.  It  envisages short-term  training of 24  Hours/3  Days ,  Food  Processing  EDP (Entrepreneurship Development Programme) Training for all applicants viz. individuals and Groups (SHGs/ FPOs/ Cooperatives) recommended for availing credit linked grant by District Level Committee (DLC) and 8 hours/1 day training to SHG beneficiaries of Seed Capital under the scheme engaged in micro food processing.  1,09,312 beneficiaries have been trained across India from 2020-21 till 2024-25.

Besides the above,  two Institute of National Importance(INI's) viz. National Institute of   Food  Technology  Entrepreneurship  and  Management  (NIFTEM)  located  at  Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu) and Kundli (Haryana) under the administrative control of this Ministry have, through their short-term skill/capacity building/entrepreneurship development programmes,    trained 32255 and1516 persons respectively during the period from 2018-19 till 2024-25.

(b) Yes,  Sir.  The  Food  Industry  Capacity  and  Skill  Initiative  [FICSI],  the  Sector  Skill Council for Food Processing under Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, have launched  specialized  training  programmes  in  partnership  with  educational  and  technical institutions. FICSI has trained and certified over 2.72 lakh candidates in food-processing job roles since 2015-16, which include 2.60 lakh candidates under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) in collaboration with Schools, ITIs, Polytechnics, Food Technology Institutes, Food Processing Industries and State Skill Missions.

(c) & (d): Through implementation of Central Sector Schemes namely Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) and Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industries (PLIFPIs) and Centrally Sponsored Scheme namely Prime Minister's Formalization of Micro Enterprises (PMFME), the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has been undertaking  several  initiatives  to  encourage  the  adoption  of  new  technologies  in  the  food processing sector to meet international standards.  Special focus is given to  cold chain projects and food processing units that incorporate advanced machinery and practices to ensure global competitiveness.

Further, NIFTEM-Thanjavur  under  MoFPI  has  developed over 110 ready-tocommercialize technologies, including advanced equipment such as mobile food processing units and 3D food printing models, while maintaining a strong patent portfolio in packaging, drying devices, and nutrient-enriched products. More than 75 technologies have already been transferred  nationwide,  supported  by  a  dedicated  Technology  Transfer  Cell,  sponsored research, and turnkey project assistance.

Similarly, NIFTEM-Kundli under MoFPI has successfully transferred 52 technologies to industries, start-ups, and entrepreneurs, while promoting rural innovation through its Village Adoption Programme.

The short-term training programmes undertaken by the both institutes are designed to integrate  the  latest  technological  advancements,  ensuring  that  beneficiaries  acquire  skills aligned with the current and emerging needs of the food processing sector and are aimed to build industry-relevant competencies and promote entrepreneurship and employment generation.  These training programmes offer hands-on exposure to RTE/RTC foods, novel packaging, ultrasonication, and food microbiology, alongside Good Manufacturing Practices and HACCP/ISO standards. These initiatives empower entrepreneurs, SHGs, FPOs, and youth by integrating modern skills with global benchmarks, ensuring India's food processing sector remains competitive and innovation-driven.

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