Food PLI Scheme Draws ₹9,207 Crore Investment, Creates 3.29 Lakh Jobs

India’s Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for the food processing industry has attracted investments worth ₹9,207 crore and generated approximately 3.29 lakh jobs so far, according to government data.

Launched by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, the scheme is being implemented over a six-year period from FY 2021–22 to FY 2026–27, with a total outlay of ₹10,900 crore. It is designed to boost value addition, expand processing capacity, and create employment opportunities, particularly in rural and off-farm sectors.

The scheme covers a wide range of segments, including ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat foods, processed fruits and vegetables, marine products, and mozzarella cheese. It also supports innovative and organic product categories, especially among MSMEs, along with branding and marketing initiatives aimed at enhancing the global competitiveness of Indian food products.

So far, 128 companies have been approved under the programme, covering 274 units across 22 states. The scheme has seen strong participation from the MSME sector, with 68 MSME applicants and 40 contract manufacturing units contributing to its implementation.

Investment under the scheme has already exceeded initial commitments, with ₹9,207 crore invested against a committed ₹7,722 crore. This has led to the creation of around 34 lakh metric tonnes per annum of additional processing and preservation capacity, along with significant technology upgrades and modernisation across food processing units.

The scheme has also delivered strong growth outcomes. Sales of PLI-supported products have recorded a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.58%, while exports have grown at a CAGR of 7.41%, despite global economic challenges.

Millet-based products, in particular, have witnessed a sharp rise under the scheme, with sales increasing from ₹345.73 crore in FY23 to ₹1,845.25 crore in FY25. Procurement of millets has also seen substantial growth, reflecting increasing demand and policy focus on nutrition and sustainable agriculture.

Overall, the PLI scheme for food processing is emerging as a key driver of industrial growth, employment generation, and value creation in India’s agri and food ecosystem, while strengthening the country’s position in global food markets.