PM Kisan Sampada Yojana: How Rs 1920 Crore Boost Transforms India’s Food Processing Sector

What is PM Kisan Sampada Yojana?
PMKSY, originally launched as SAMPADA (Scheme for Agro-Marine Processing and Development of Agro-Processing Clusters) in 2017, was rebranded to align with the government’s farmer-centric vision. The scheme focuses on:
Reducing post-harvest losses by improving cold storage and processing facilities.
Enhancing food safety through irradiation units and testing labs.
Boosting farmer incomes by linking them to better markets.
Increasing employment in the food processing sector.


The recent Rs 1920 crore allocation will fund:
50 multi-product food irradiation units (to extend shelf life).
100 food testing labs (ensuring quality compliance).
Cold chain infrastructure (reducing wastage of perishables).
Since its launch, PMKSY has:
✔ Approved 1,601 projects (1,133 operational).
✔ Created 255.66 lakh MT/year processing capacity.
✔ Attracted Rs 21,803 crore investments, benefiting 50+ lakh farmers.


Why is PMKSY Important for Competitive Exams?
Government schemes like PMKSY are highly relevant for exams like UPSC, SSC, PSC, and KAS because:
Questions on agricultural schemes frequently appear in GS/current affairs sections.
Understanding fund allocation, objectives, and outcomes helps in essay writing and interviews.
Data on employment generation, exports, and farmer benefits are often asked in MCQs.


Questions & Answers for Exam Preparation
Q1: What is the primary objective of PM Kisan Sampada Yojana?
Ans: To reduce post-harvest losses, modernize food processing, and improve farmers’ income through better market linkages.
Q2: How much funding was recently approved under PMKSY?
Ans: Rs 1920 crore, part of the Rs 6520 crore allocated for 2021-26.
Q3: What are the two major components receiving Rs 1000 crore in the latest PMKSY funding?
Ans:
ICCVAI (Integrated Cold Chain & Value Addition Infrastructure)
FSQAI (Food Safety & Quality Assurance Infrastructure)
Q4: How has PMKSY impacted India’s food exports?
Ans: Processed food exports doubled from $5 billion to $11 billion, with their share in agri-exports rising from 14% to 24%.
Q5: How many jobs has PMKSY generated so far?
Ans: Over 7.25 lakh direct/indirect jobs through 1,601 approved projects.


PM Kisan Sampada Yojana is a game-changer for India’s food processing sector, benefiting farmers, entrepreneurs, and job seekers. For exam aspirants, grasping its objectives, funding, and outcomes can be a scoring advantage. Stay updated with such schemes to ace your competitive exams!
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