* State tops the nation in PMFME scheme performance.

* Food Processing Policy-2023 driving investment and employment

* Farmers' income growth and strong support for start-ups

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a national leader in food processing industries, with the state government's Food Processing Policy-2023 providing a strong boost to investment, employment, and exports. Led by Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, the sector is rapidly transforming into a major industrial hub, with a clear focus on increasing farmers' incomes and supporting start-ups.

Taking stock of the progress on Tuesday, at the 19th meeting of the State Level Empowered Committee (SLEC), chaired by Agriculture Production Commissioner Deepak Kumar, the committee reviewed the progress of food processing projects across the state. Additional Chief Secretary B.L. Meena reported that as of May 21, 2026, 1,745 applications were received, with Letters of Comfort issued for 521 projects. Of the 20 new proposals presented, 19 were approved, covering diverse ventures such as banana-based carbonated wine in Kanpur Dehat, buckwheat and fennel processing in Hathras, jaggery products in Muzaffarnagar, and fructose sugar production in Bijnor.

The committee also reviewed the proposal of Good Grape Wine Cellars Pvt. Ltd., Kanpur Dehat, but deferred its decision pending submission of complete loan and expenditure records. Since 2023-24, subsidies worth Rs 307.81 crore have been disbursed, including Rs 28.45 crore transferred between April and May 2026.

Uttar Pradesh has also topped the country in the Prime Minister's Micro Food Industries Upgradation Scheme (PMFME), leading in loan disbursement during 2025-26. Directions were issued to District Magistrates to ensure wider publicity of schemes and encourage investors in districts with fewer proposals.

Outstanding contributors to the sector were honoured during the meeting, including entrepreneurs Gaurav Sachan (Etah), Navneet Kumar (Kanpur Dehat), and F. Rahman Ansari (Barabanki). Professor Divya Rani Singh of Gorakhpur University and Dr Arvind Kumar Singh, retired Additional Director of Animal Husbandry, were also recognised for their significant contributions.