PLI in food processing boosted exports: Prahlad Singh Patel

Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI) has been formulated as part of “Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan” for enhancing India’s manufacturing capabilities and enhancing exports with an outlay of Rs 10,900 crore.

The scheme has three broad components. The first component relates to incentivizing manufacturing of four major food product segments: ready-to-cook/ready-to-eat (RTC/RTE), including millet-based foods, processed fruits and vegetables, marine products, and mozzarella cheese.

Minister of State for Food Processing Industries, Prahlad Singh Patel told the Rajya Sabha  that PLI was also  intended for incentivizing innovative/organic products of SMEs across all the above four food product segments including free range – eggs, poultry meat and egg products.

PLI similarly supports branding and marketing abroad to incentivise the emergence of strong Indian brands. The scheme guidelines were notified on May 2, 2021, and an EoI was issued for inviting applications under the scheme on May 2, 2021, with a closing date for the application window of June 24, 2021. A total of 60 applicants under Category-I, 12 applicants under Category-II, and 71 applicants under Category-III have been selected recently, the Minister said.