Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) supports renewable source of energy viz. Solar, Bio-mass, Wind, etc. for the project in the schemes and provides financial assistance for incorporating renewable/alternate energy technologies in food processing units, with a maximum permissible cost of ₹35 lakh per project under component schemes of Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY). Under component schemes of PMKSY, as per the Scheme guidelines, consent to operate (CTO) issued by the concerned state Pollution board/Agency in respect of Water and Air, is mandatory for release of instalment of Grant-In-Aid/Subsidy to the approved projects. Further, Project Implementation Agency (PIA) has to comply with the requirements of Cold Chain infrastructure as per the directions of Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate change, Government of India with respect to use of Non-ODS (Non- Ozone depleting Substances) and low GWP (Low Global Warming Potential) refrigerants-based energy efficient cooling systems.

Further, to encourage sustainable food processing through adoption of green technologies MoFPI organized 4^th edition of World Food India 2025 during 25-28 September, 2025 where one of the focus pillar was “Sustainability and Net Zero Food Processing”. These pillars aimed to promote resource efficiency, waste reduction, energy efficiency and environmentally friendly packaging solutions across the sector.

National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship & Management -Thanjavur under MoFPI has made efforts to promote and develop sustainable packaging technology through development of biodegradable plastics, safe and environmental friendly packaging solutions from biopolymers such as poly lactic acid (PLA), starch, nano fibres etc.

MoFPI has been incentivizing setting up/expansion of food processing infrastructure 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. Ministry provides subsidy/incentives to the eligible entities including startups and Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) under these schemes.

Under the Capacity Building component of the PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme, MoFPI provides assistance for training of Trainers, District Resource Persons, Entrepreneurs and various other groups for Entrepreneurship Development Skilling (EDP+) & product specific skilling to meet the requirement of food processing industry. The scheme also envisages strengthening backward and forward linkages, provision of common facilities, incubation centres, training, marketing & branding.

MoFPI through its two autonomous Institutions namely, National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship & Management, Kundli, Haryana (NIFTEM-K) & National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship & Management, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu (NIFTEM-T) also 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 these Startups and MSMEs.

All these three schemes are implemented across the country and thereby creating off-farm employment opportunities and increasing the income of farmers through Food Processing Sector.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Shri Ravneet Singh in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

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STK

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