Lok Sabha Question No. 1903 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-11
Subject: Proposal to Harness the  Agricultural Potential of Thanjavur Delta Region
Ministry: FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Shri Murasoli S

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1903

ANSWERED ON 11 TH  DECEMBER, 2025

## PROPOSAL TO HARNESS THE AGRICULTURAL POTENTIAL OF THANJAVUR DELTA REGION

## 1903.   SHRI MURASOLI S:

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

- (a) whether the Union Government proposes to harness the agricultural potential of the Thanjavur delta region in Tamil Nadu through any Central Government schemes or institutions aimed at strengthening food processing, storage and value addition, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details and timelines of such proposed measures to enhance agricultural productivity, reduce post-harvest losses and promote export-oriented processing in the region; and
- (c) if  not,  the  reasons  for  the  absence  of  such  Central  support  in  this  agriculturally significant delta region?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): In view of its rich agricultural produce base, Thanjavur delta region in Tamil Nadu has  potential  to  develop  strong  Food  Processing  Sector  and  Ministry  of  Food  Processing Industries  (MoFPI)  incentivizes  entrepreneurs  to  establish  related  Industries  in  the  state through its two Central Sector Schemes namely Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) and Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI). MoFPI is also implementing a Centrally sponsored scheme namely PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme.

These schemes aim towards creation of modern infrastructure with efficient supply chain management from farm gate to retail outlet which includes storage, transportation, value addition  etc.,  thereby  help  in  reducing  wastage  of  agricultural  produce,  reduction  in  post harvest  losses,  enhancing  productivity,  increasing  the  processing  level  and  enhancing  the export of the processed foods.

So far, MoFPI has sanctioned 105 projects with approved grant in aid of Rs 487.85 crores under corresponding component schemes of PMKSY in the State of Tamil Nadu till 31.10.2025.

A total of 17,210 micro food processing enterprises have been approved with subsidy of Rs 387.06 crores for assistance under PMFME in the State of Tamil Nadu till 31.10.2025.

So far,  Food  processing  projects  at  20  locations  with  committed  investments  of  Rs 445.23  crores  have  been  approved  for  assistance  under  various  categories  of  the  PLISFPI scheme in the State of Tamil Nadu till 31.10.2025.

National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM), an Institute of National  Importance (INI), located in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, is functioning under  the  administrative  control  of  MoFPI  to  provide  handholding  support,  mentorship, training,  access  to  facilities  such  as  Pilot  Plant,  NABL-accredited  Food  Testing  Labs, incubation services, quality testing, R&D support, networking opportunities, etc. to the food processing sector.

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