Big Boost for Food Processing: PMKSY Gets ₹6,520 Crore

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a total outlay of ₹6,520 crore for the continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) during the 15th Finance Commission period (2021–22 to 2025–26). This includes an additional allocation of ₹1,920 crore for expanded initiatives under the scheme.

As part of the revised plan, ₹1,000 crore will be allocated to establish 50 multi-product food irradiation units under the Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure (ICCVAI) and 100 NABL-accredited food testing laboratories under the Food Safety and Quality Assurance Infrastructure (FSQAI) component. The irradiation units are expected to add 20–30 lakh tonnes of annual food preservation capacity.

An additional ₹920 crore will support other sub-schemes under PMKSY. Both ICCVAI and FSQAI will be implemented in a demand-driven mode, with proposals invited through Expressions of Interest (EOIs) and sanctioned in accordance with established guidelines.

The food testing labs—primarily to be set up by the private sector—will significantly strengthen India’s food safety infrastructure, ensuring high-quality, compliant, and safe food supply across the country.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.