The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) is promoting the food processing sector, including jaggery processing industries, through several central government schemes, the Lok Sabha was informed on Thursday.
In a written reply, Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Ravneet Singh said the ministry is supporting the setting up and expansion of jaggery processing units through schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY), the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for the Food Processing Industry, and the Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme. These schemes are demand-driven and are not limited to any specific state or region.
He said projects supported under these schemes must follow Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) rules and are encouraged to meet international food safety and quality standards to improve market access, including exports.
The minister said MoFPI provides financial assistance to entrepreneurs for setting up or expanding jaggery processing units using modern technology, in line with the guidelines of the respective schemes.
As of December 31, 2025, the ministry has approved 5 jaggery processing units across the country with grants worth Rs 17.07 crore under the Creation or Expansion of Food Processing and Preservation Capacities component of the PMKSY scheme. In addition, 3,528 micro food processing units involved in jaggery processing have been approved under the PMFME scheme, with subsidies amounting to Rs 102.31 crore, according to the minister
He added that under the PMFME scheme, groups of farmer producer organisations, self-help groups, cooperatives, or special purpose vehicles of micro food processing units are eligible for grants of up to 50 per cent for branding and marketing support.
To strengthen local industries, including jaggery, the government has adopted the One District One Product approach under the PMFME scheme. This approach aims to help producers benefit from common inputs, shared services, and better marketing. Under this scheme, jaggery and related products have been identified as One District One Product in 19 districts across the country, the minister said.
