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Centre promotes modern processing technologies to boost food sector competitiveness
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Monday, 02 February, 2026, 16 : 00 PM [IST]
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Our Bureau, New Delhi
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The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has underscored its commitment to modernising the food processing ecosystem by supporting adoption of advanced processing technologies. The initiative aims to enhance productivity, quality and competitiveness of Indian food products in domestic and global markets.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY), MoFPI has extended grant-in-aid support to educational and research institutions, including those recognised by the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) and private sector R&D units, for demand-driven research projects in food processing technology. As of December 31, 2025, 257 research projects have been approved with a total subsidy of Rs 102.47 crore, signalling an increased emphasis on innovation and science-led solutions. Institutions such as the National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship & Management (NIFTEM) at Kundli and Thanjavur are also actively engaged in sector-focused R&D.
The release highlighted that capacity-building initiatives under the PM formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme are being scaled up, with grants available for training of Master Trainers, district resource persons, entrepreneurs and groups such as Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and cooperatives. Training programmes cover key areas including Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations, food quality and hygiene practices, strengthening grassroots adoption of standards.
MoFPI also provides branding and marketing support, offering up to 50 per cent grant assistance to eligible groups to develop common packaging, quality control frameworks, and branding strategies that help Indian foods reach broader markets. International outreach support under the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI) incentivises overseas branding and marketing efforts for emerging Indian brands.
Officials said these interventions are expected to increase processing capacity, foster innovation, boost value addition, and improve returns for farmers and micro-enterprises, reinforcing the sector’s long-term growth trajectory.
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