Lok Sabha Question No. 150 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-01-29
Subject: Adoption of Modern Processing Technologies
Ministry: FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Shri Shashank Mani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 150

ANSWERED ON 29 TH  JANUARY, 2026

## ADOPTION OF MODERN PROCESSING TECHNOLOGIES

## 150. SHRI SHASHANK MANI:

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

- (a) whether the Government is promoting the adoption of modern processing technologies, food safety standards and quality certification among micro and small food processing units across the country;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  support  being  provided  for  technology  upgradation,  training, branding and compliance with national and international food standards;
- (c) whether any digital or institutional mechanisms have been introduced to assist small processors in improving traceability, packaging and market access and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the manner in which these interventions are expected to strengthen rural entrepreneurship, enhance farmer incomes and improve the competitiveness of India's food processing sector?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): In order to promote adoption of modern processing technology in Food Processing Sector, Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) extends Grant-in-Aid to educational and  research  institutions  including  Council  of  Scientific  &  Industrial  Research  (CSIR) recognized Research and Development (R&D) units in private sector for related demand driven R&D projects  through  its  R&D  scheme  under  Pradhan  Mantri  Kisan  SAMPADA  Yojana (PMKSY). As on 31 st  December, 2025, 257 research projects have been approved with an approved subsidy of Rs. 102.47 crore.  In  addition,  National  Institute  of  Food  Technology, Entrepreneurship  &  Management  (NIFTEM)  Kundli  and  NIFTEM,  Thanjavur,  under administrative control of MoFPI, are also engaged in R&D activities in the sector.

Under  Capacity  building  component  of  the  PM  Formalization  of  Micro  Food Processing  Enterprises  (PMFME)  scheme,  MoFPI  provide  Grants  for  training  of  Trainers (Master  Trainers,  District  Level  Trainers),  District  Resource  Persons,  Food  Processing Entrepreneurs  and  various  other  groups  (SHGs/  FPOs/  Cooperatives).  Further,  trainings  in FSSAI regulations, safety and hygiene practices, food quality testing norms etc. is provided to ensure the outreach of food safety and hygiene practices to all micro food enterprises. Grants upto  50%  for  branding  and  marketing  support  to  groups  of  FPOs/  SHGs/  Cooperatives  or Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) of Micro Food Processing Enterprises is available under related component of PMFME Scheme. Under Branding and Marketing component of the PMFME

scheme, support is provided to FPOs/SHGs/Cooperatives or an SPV of micro food processing for  developing  a  common  packaging  &  branding  with  provision  for  quality  control, standardization, and adhering to food safety parameters for consumer retail sale. The projects approved under the schemes implemented by MoFPI are required to comply with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations.

MoFPI also supports branding and marketing activities abroad like in-store branding, shelf space renting and marketing to incentivise emergence of strong Indian brands through its Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI). A company is eligible  for  financial  incentives  @  50%  of  expenditure  incurred  on  Branding  &  Marketing abroad  subject  to  a  maximum  of  3%  of  Sales  of  food  products  or  Rs  50  crore  per  year, whichever is less.  The minimum expenditure should be Rs. 5 crore over a period of five years.

Schemes are demand driven in nature and applications are invited online to fast track the processing of applications and approval of the projects, as per respective scheme guidelines.

MoFPI  through  its  schemes,  aims  towards  increasing  preservation  and  processing capacities,  developing  value-added  products,  bringing  innovative  technologies,  enhancing productivity  &  efficiency  in  food  processing,  fostering  entrepreneurship,  providing  better returns to farmers and improve competitiveness in the food processing sector.

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