Over six trillion four hundred eleven million rupees allocated for food processing facilities under the PMKSY initiative
Transforming India's Food Processing Sector: Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY), a government initiative, is designed to revolutionize India's food processing sector. The scheme, aimed at overall development, is expected to benefit over 34 lakh farmers nationwide and give a significant boost to the growth of the food processing sector in India.
As of June 30, 1,601 projects have been approved under the PMKSY. Grants-in-aid to the tune of Rs 6,411.61 crore have been disbursed for these projects. The ministry takes up matters with states and UTs for effective implementation of the PMKSY, while regular monitoring and effective implementation are essential for the scheme's success. Project Management Agencies (PMAs) are responsible for monitoring the PMKSY, and physical site inspections are conducted by the ministry.
The key objectives of the PMKSY include developing modern infrastructure for the food processing sector, establishing an efficient and integrated supply chain from farm gate to retail market, reducing post-harvest losses and food wastage, promoting value addition in agricultural produce, ensuring better price realization for farmers, creating employment opportunities, especially in rural areas, and boosting exports of processed food products.
The benefits of PMKSY are manifold. It aims to improve farmers' income through higher price realization by connecting them directly with markets and processing units. The scheme is expected to create a large processing and preservation capacity (255.66 lakh metric tonnes per year as of 2025), supporting investments exceeding ₹21,800 crore and benefiting over 50 lakh farmers.
Reduction in wastage during storage, transportation, and processing is another significant benefit due to modern supply chain infrastructure such as cold chains and food irradiation units. Enhanced food safety and quality assurance is also a key benefit through accredited testing labs integrated in the scheme.
The PMKSY also generates significant employment opportunities in the food processing and allied sectors, contributing to rural economic development. It promotes entrepreneurship and skill development in agro-food processing.
In summary, PMKSY is a comprehensive scheme aimed at transforming India’s agricultural and food processing sectors by improving infrastructure, reducing wastage, increasing farmer incomes, and generating rural employment while supporting exports. The PMKSY facilities aid in the transport of raw and finished products, preserving and processing raw farm produce, and reducing wastage, increasing the processing level, and enhancing the export of the processed foods.
- The Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) aims to increase the growth of the food processing sector not only through developing modern infrastructure but also by focusing on finance, ensuring better price realization for farmers and supporting investments in the industry.
- The benefits of PMKSY extend beyond rural India, as it generates employment opportunities in the finance, food processing, and allied sectors, contributing to overall business growth and boosting exports of processed food products.
