Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY)
Introduction – What is PMKSY?
PMKSY stands for Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana, where SAMPADA originally meant:
Scheme for Agro-Marine Processing and Development of Agro-Processing Clusters
This scheme acts as an umbrella programme aimed at:
- Modernising food processing infrastructure
- Reducing post-harvest losses
- Doubling farmers’ income
- Creating rural employment opportunities
🔁 Background:
- Launched in 2017 as SAMPADA; renamed PMKSY with rationalised components.
- Current tenure: 2021–22 to 2025–26
- Type: Central Sector Scheme → 100% funded by Union Government (unlike Centrally Sponsored Schemes)
🎯 Objectives – What is the Vision Behind the Scheme?
The scheme is not merely about factories; it’s about linking farmers with markets and value addition. Its core aims:
- ✅ Creation of modern infrastructure
- Especially from farm gate to retail outlet, ensuring a seamless supply chain.
- ✅ Better returns to farmers
- Through value addition to raw produce via processing.
- ✅ Employment generation, especially in rural areas.
- ✅ Reduction in wastage of agricultural produce.
- ✅ Boosting exports of processed food items.
In short, PMKSY = “From Farm → Factory → Fork” 🥕🏭🍽️
🧩 Components of PMKSY – What are the Main Sub-Schemes?
The scheme consists of multiple interlinked components, each addressing a different gap in the food processing ecosystem:
🔹 (1) Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure
🧊 Cold Chain is crucial to reduce spoilage and ensure storage/transport of perishables.
- Provides seamless infrastructure from farm gate to retail outlet
- Set up by: SHGs, FPOs, Cooperatives, Pvt Firms, PSUs, etc.
- Special Focus: Implemented for fruits & vegetables under the Operation Greens (OG) scheme
🟢 Operation Greens – A Subset Initiative
- Announced in Budget 2018–19, modelled on Operation Flood
- Initial focus on TOP crops: Tomato, Onion, Potato
- Under Aatmanirbhar Bharat, expanded from TOP → TOTAL (all fruits & vegetables)
🔹 (2) Agro Processing Clusters (APC)
- Encourages development of smaller processing units near production zones
- Similar to Mini-Mega Food Parks
- Requires minimum 10 acres of land
- Emphasis on cluster-based development of small farmers/producers
🔹 (3) Creation/Expansion of Food Processing & Preservation Capacities (Unit Scheme)
- Focus: Modernisation and capacity expansion of individual food units
- Implementing bodies: Private firms, FPOs, SHGs, NGOs, Individuals, etc.
- Integrated with existing clusters and food parks
🔹 (4) Food Safety & Quality Assurance Infrastructure
- Supports the setting up of:
- Food Testing Labs (FTLs)
- Global certifications like:
- HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point)
- ISO 22000 (Food Safety Management)
✅ Ensures that Indian food products meet international quality standards
🔹 (5) Human Resources & Institutions (HRI) – R&D Support
- Promotes Research and Development in food tech
- In the 15th Finance Commission cycle, 100 R&D projects sanctioned
⚙️ Operational Features – What Else Makes PMKSY Unique?
🔄 Inter-scheme reallocation flexibility
- 25% of a scheme’s outlay can be reallocated by the MoFPI based on mid-term review
💰 Recycling of savings
- Savings from one project can be used for funding new projects under same scheme
This ensures adaptive planning and dynamic allocation of resources.
🧪 Quality Council of India (QCI) Initiatives – Ensuring Food Safety
Food processing ≠ just value addition; quality compliance is essential for exports and health. Hence:
✅ Schemes introduced by QCI:
- IndiaGHP – Good Hygienic Practices
- IndiaHACCP – Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point
✅ Why?
To help Indian food businesses comply with Codex standards without needing expensive foreign certifications.
🛡️ Applications:
- IndiaHACCP → High-risk sectors (meat, fish, dairy)
- IndiaGHP → All sectors for basic hygiene
✅ These are globally aligned and help build trust in Indian food exports.
📝 UPSC Takeaway
PMKSY is a holistic rural economic development programme that intersects:
- Agriculture (doubling farmer income)
- Industry (processing infrastructure)
- Employment (rural jobs & MSMEs)
- Trade (exports & global standards)
It’s an excellent example of convergence and value chain development, often cited in GS Paper 3 and Essay topics on agricultural reform and rural development.