Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Food Processing Industry
By Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI)
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Quick Answer
A central government scheme by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) offering production-linked incentives and branding support to food processing manufacturers, including SMEs, to foster global competitiveness.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Subsidy
- Application deadline
- —
- Location
- International
Results & next round
Applications for this round are closed. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI). Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this subsidy
The Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI) is a flagship initiative launched by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India. Its primary objective is to bolster India's position in the global food manufacturing landscape by supporting the creation of world-class food processing champions and promoting Indian food brands internationally. Beyond industrial growth, the scheme aims to generate significant off-farm employment opportunities, ensure remunerative prices for agricultural produce, and ultimately enhance farmer incomes.
The scheme operates over a six-year period, spanning from Financial Year 2021-22 to Financial Year 2026-27. Incentives earned in a particular year are typically disbursed in the subsequent year. Implementation is meticulously managed by MoFPI through a dedicated Project Management Agency (PMA), which oversees the entire application processing, verification, and disbursement lifecycle.
PLISFPI is structured around three core components designed to achieve its multi-faceted objectives:
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Component 1: Incentivizing Key Food Segments: This component focuses on providing incentives for the manufacturing of four major food product categories. These include Ready to Cook/Ready to Eat (RTC/RTE) foods, with a special emphasis on millet-based products, Processed Fruits & Vegetables, Marine Products, and Mozzarella Cheese. The goal is to stimulate growth and value addition in these high-potential areas.
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Component 2: Support for Innovative & Organic SMEs: Recognizing the crucial role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in innovation, this component specifically incentivizes SMEs involved in innovative or organic product development across all the aforementioned food product segments. This also extends to specialized products such as Free Range Eggs, Poultry Meat, and Egg Products, encouraging diversification and sustainable practices.
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Component 3: Global Branding and Marketing Support: To facilitate the emergence of strong Indian brands on the international stage, this component offers financial support for branding and marketing activities abroad. This strategic push is critical for Indian food products to gain recognition and market share in competitive global markets, thereby boosting exports and enhancing India's trade footprint.
Eligibility
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Subsidy providers
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) is a Government of India ministry based at Panchasheel Bhavan, August Kranti Marg, New Delhi. It runs and funds schemes for the food-processing sector: subsidies and grants for micro units and producer groups, a…
Learn moreBenefits & Funding
What You Get
The Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry offers significant financial benefits to eligible manufacturers. The core benefit is a production-linked incentive calculated as Incremental Sales multiplied by an Applicable Rate of Incentive. These rates vary by segment and year, ranging from 10% down to 4% for different products like Ready-to-Cook/Ready-to-Eat, Processed Fruits & Vegetables, Marine Products, and Mozzarella Cheese (with value-added marine products potentially receiving 10%). This incentive is disbursed annually from the year of selection until the scheme's conclusion, provided the applicant achieves a minimum Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) in sales.
Furthermore, the scheme provides substantial financial support for branding and marketing abroad. This comes as a 50% reimbursement of eligible expenditure incurred on promoting Indian brands in international markets. This support is capped at ₹50 crore (₹500,000,000) per year or 3% of the sales of food products, whichever is lower. Applicants must incur a minimum eligible expenditure of ₹5 crore over a five-year period to claim this incentive. Eligible activities include in-store branding, shelf space renting, listing fees, media advertising, and promotional campaigns, all designed to enhance global market access and brand visibility. This comprehensive support structure aims to empower Indian food processors to scale up, innovate, and successfully compete on the world stage.
- Disbursement
- Reimbursement
- Duration
- 73 months
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
Applications for the PLI Scheme for Food Processing Industry undergo a structured selection process managed by the Project Management Agency (PMA) in coordination with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI). Initially, applications are invited through an Expression of Interest (EOI) and submitted online. The PMA conducts a preliminary examination within 15 working days to ensure completeness and adherence to initial guidelines. Any identified deficiencies are communicated to the applicant, who must rectify them within 10 working days to avoid rejection. Subsequently, the PMA processes the complete applications, evaluating them against criteria such as proposed investment, sales projections, and product segment alignment. Based on this evaluation, the PMA prepares a recommendation report, which is then submitted to the MoFPI for final review and approval. The entire finalization process, from the closure of the application window, is targeted to be completed within 90 days. Approved applicants receive an official approval letter detailing their incentive structure and commitments, followed by a requirement to submit a performance bank guarantee.
Application Process
- 1
EOI Released
Ministry of Food Processing Industries releases Expression of Interest (EOI) with application details.
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How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
See the questions before you start
Download every question this programme's application form asks, so you can prepare your answers offline before opening the portal.
- 2
Line up your documents
Keep every document from the checklist ready in one folder. Missing docs are the #1 reason applications get bounced.
- 3
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 4
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Program templates & documents
Files the program publishes for applicants — download these and apply in the prescribed format.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary objective of the PLI Scheme for Food Processing Industry?
The scheme aims to support the creation of global food manufacturing champions in India, promote Indian food brands internationally, increase off-farm employment opportunities, and ensure better prices for farm produce, ultimately boosting farmer incomes.
Who is eligible to apply for this scheme?
Support is provided to applicants engaged in manufacturing food products in India within specified target segments. This includes large entities (Category I), SMEs manufacturing innovative/organic products (Category II), and entities applying solely for international branding support (Category III). Applicants must meet minimum sales and investment criteria and not be declared defaulters or bankrupt.
What food product segments are covered under the scheme?
The scheme covers manufacturing and sales in Ready-to-Cook/Ready-to-Eat food products (including millet-based), Processed Fruits and Vegetables, Marine Products, Mozzarella Cheese, and innovative/organic products from SMEs across these segments, including Free Range Eggs, Poultry Meat & Egg Products.
How is the production-linked incentive calculated?
The incentive is calculated as 'Incremental Sales × Applicable Rate of Incentive'. The applicable incentive rates vary by segment and year, generally ranging from 4% to 10%. The incentive is payable from the year of selection until the end of the scheme period, subject to achieving a minimum Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) in sales.
What kind of financial support is available for branding and marketing abroad?
The scheme offers 50% reimbursement of expenditure incurred on eligible branding and marketing activities in international markets. This support is subject to a maximum of 3% of sales of food products or ₹50 crore per year, whichever is lower. A minimum eligible expenditure of ₹5 crore over 5 years is required to claim this incentive.
What is the application process for the PLI scheme?
Applications are invited online through an Expression of Interest (EOI) released by MoFPI. Applicants must fill out the prescribed format on the official portal, upload required documents and undertakings, and pay a non-refundable application fee. The Project Management Agency (PMA) then processes and recommends applications to MoFPI for final approval.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
News
- PLI Scheme Payouts Cross ₹36,754 Crore as Manufacturing Investment Touches ₹2.58 Lakh Croreboldnewsonline.com · last month
- PLI Schemes: Govt Disburses ₹36,754 Cr, Boosts Mfg & Jobsmoney.rediff.com · last month
- India's Manufacturing Push: Rs 36,754 Crore PLI Disbursal Drives Rs 2.58 Lakh Crore Investment, 14.57 Lakh Jobsswarajyamag.com · last month
Source: Google News aggregated
