Budget 2026: Food processing ministry gets ₹4,061cr allocation
The government just announced ₹4,061 crore for the Ministry of Food Processing Industries in the new budget—a nearly 14% jump from last year.
Key schemes include PM FME (₹1,700 crore, up from ₹1,500 crore) and PLI (₹1,200 crore), and there's a push for innovation, support to small businesses, and new initiatives like higher duty-free seafood imports and programs for coconut, cashew, and cocoa.
Food processing isn't just about snacks
Food processing isn't just about snacks—it fuels jobs and exports.
The sector now makes up over 20% of India's agri-food exports and employs almost 13% of organized manufacturing workers.
With over 56,000 loans given out since last year alone, these moves could mean more opportunities for young entrepreneurs, fresher ideas in food tech, and a stronger economy overall.