MoFPI drives value chain growth as 4,612 micro units supported and millet product sales surge to Rs 814 crore

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) is accelerating the development of the millet processing ecosystem through key central schemes, including the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI), Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY), and the PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme.

A dedicated component under the PLI scheme for millet-based products, with a total outlay of Rs 800 crore, has seen approvals worth Rs 793.27 crore extended to 29 beneficiaries so far. These include a mix of large companies and small and medium enterprises, aimed at driving production, value addition, and market expansion for millet-based food products across domestic and export markets.

Support at the grassroots level has been strengthened under the PMFME scheme, where millet-based products have been identified under the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative in 21 districts. As of December 31, 2025, a total of 4,612 micro food processing enterprises have been approved for millet processing, with subsidies amounting to Rs 91.20 crore, boosting entrepreneurship and local value addition.

In addition, awareness and market development efforts, including Millet Mahotsavs held across 30 districts during the International Year of Millets, have contributed to building momentum for millet-based enterprises. The government is also supporting branding, packaging, and quality standardization through collective platforms such as farmer producer organizations, self-help groups, and cooperatives.

Under the PMKSY framework, infrastructure creation continues with approvals for food processing and preservation capacity expansion projects. The integrated policy push has significantly improved market performance, with sales of millet-based products rising sharply from Rs 35 crore in 2020–21 to Rs 814 crore in 2024–25. Millet procurement by PLI beneficiaries has also increased substantially, reflecting growing industry demand and supply chain strengthening.

These initiatives collectively signal a strong policy thrust toward positioning millets as a key component of India’s food processing and nutrition strategy, while enhancing farmer incomes and supporting sustainable agriculture.