Food processing sector will get new momentum: Investment proposals worth Rs 300 crore approved… farmers will benefit directly

Lucknow, Read: To give impetus to the food processing industry in the state, investment proposals worth about Rs 300 crore were approved in the 17th meeting of the State Level Empowered Committee (SLEC) held on Friday under the chairmanship of Agriculture Production Commissioner Deepak Kumar. In the meeting, subsidy of Rs 35 crore was approved for 19 projects, which is expected to give a new direction to the food processing sector in the state.

While reviewing the progress of Food Processing Industry Policy-2023 in the meeting, it was told that out of Rs 600 crore approved so far, Rs 318.64 crore has been spent. The subsidy has been transferred to a total of 353 investors, of which the second installment has been released to 100 units and the first installment to 253 units. Against the budget of Rs 300 crore in the current financial year, Rs 168.66 crore (56.22%) has been paid till January 19, 2026, while the remaining payment is in process.

In the meeting, proposals of many districts including Amroha, Meerut, Kanpur Nagar, Gorakhpur, Ayodhya, Lakhimpur Kheri, Bulandshahr, Etah, Kaushambi and Rampur were approved. Establishment of ready-to-eat products, healthy snacks, packaged foods and agro-based units will provide direct benefits to local farmers and will also increase employment opportunities.

Representatives of the third party inspection agency, NL Sahu (Vice President), Rajmithilesh Kumar (Senior Advisor) and E. Shyam Katare (Mechanical Engineer) were present in the meeting. He was also honored for his excellent verification work. BJP District President Pradeep Patel was also given a citation for promoting the peanut processing unit in Jhansi. The government believes that these investments will increase value addition in the state, improve the income of farmers and Uttar Pradesh will emerge as a food processing hub.

decisions at a glance

• Investment proposal worth Rs 300 crore approved

• 35 crore subsidy to 19 projects

• Grant to 353 investors

• 318.64 crore expenditure (53.10%)

• 168.66 crore payment in the current year

Which districts benefit?

• Amroha, Meerut, Kanpur Nagar
• Gorakhpur, Ayodhya, Lakhimpur Kheri
• Bulandshahr, Etah, Kaushambi, Rampur
• Priority to agriculture based units

what will be the effect

• Better prices for products to farmers
• Value addition from food processing
• Employment opportunities for youth
• The state will become strong in the direction of textile/food hub.