Cabinet Approves ₹6520 Crore for PMKSY Including ₹1920 Crore for Irradiation Units and Food Labs.

National

On July 31, 2025, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved a total outlay of ₹6520 crore for the Central Sector Scheme – Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY), which includes an additional ₹1920 crore for new establishments under the scheme during the 15th Finance Commission (FCC) Cycle (2021–22 to 2025–26).


      - Under this new funding, ₹1000 crore will be directed toward the establishment of 50 Multi-Product Food Irradiation Units under the Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure (ICCVAI) component of PMKSY.

      - These irradiation units are expected to significantly boost food preservation capacity, with an estimated annual capability of 20–30 lakh metric tonnes (LMT), thus reducing post-harvest losses and enhancing food shelf life.

      - In addition to irradiation units, the remaining ₹920 crore under this ₹1920 crore package will facilitate the setting up of 100 Food Testing Laboratories (FTLs) through the Food Safety and Quality Assurance Infrastructure (FSQAI) component of PMKSY. These labs will be accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) and will focus on improving food safety compliance across the country.

Main Point :-   (i) The FTLs will be established under private sector participation and are expected to modernize the country's food testing ecosystem. Through better detection of contamination and improved quality assurance, the initiative aims to strengthen consumer confidence in processed food products.

      (ii) Both ICCVAI and FSQAI are demand-driven sub-schemes under PMKSY. Eligible stakeholders can submit project proposals in response to Expressions of Interest (EOIs) that will be issued, and final approvals will be granted based on scheme guidelines and proposal evaluations.

(iii) Apart from the ₹1920 crore allocation, the Cabinet also approved ₹920 crore for the sanctioning of projects under other component schemes of PMKSY. These additional projects will also be implemented within the ongoing 15th Finance Commission Cycle, ensuring comprehensive infrastructure support for India's food processing sector.

          ____________________________