New Delhi, June 12 : India’s agricultural sector is undergoing a silent revolution, and at the forefront of this transformation is the MSME Promotion Council of India (MSME PCI). With a strong focus on rural empowerment, innovation, and entrepreneurship, MSME PCI is working across states to align with the national vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Under the leadership newl appointed Dr. Nitin Sharma, MD & CEO, the organization is implementing a range of programs that support agri-entrepreneurship, women-led rural businesses, and inclusive agro-industrial development.
“From innovation to inclusion and industrialization, our goal is to create a new generation of entrepreneurs in the agro and agro-service sectors, especially in rural and underserved regions,” said Dr. Sharma
Building Rural Infrastructure for Growth
Driven by key government schemes such as the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund and PM Kisan Samriddhi Kendras, India is witnessing rapid infrastructure expansion in the agricultural sector. More than 42,000 projects—ranging from modern warehouses to food processing units—are being developed under the ₹1 lakh crore fund.
Digital platforms like e-NAM, now connecting 1,473 mandis across 23 states and 4 union territories, have enabled seamless trade worth ₹4 lakh crore. Mega Food Parks, which numbered just two in 2014, have now surged to 41 in 2025, offering massive scope for value addition and processing.
Empowering Women and Startups in Agriculture
MSME PCI is actively contributing to grassroots innovation. The NaMo Drone Didi initiative has empowered 15,000 women-led SHGs by providing access to agricultural drones, enabling precision farming and alternate income generation.
In collaboration with NABARD’s AgriSURE Fund, which has a corpus of ₹750 crore, MSME PCI is supporting agri-startups in scaling up operations. Nearly 2,000 startups have been supported under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, many of which are technology-driven and focused on rural upliftment.
Diversifying Rural Livelihoods
With a national push towards diversification, India is now the world’s largest milk producer and has doubled fishery outputs. Honey production under the Sweet Revolution has reached 1.42 lakh metric tonnes, with exports tripling. MSME PCI is helping women SHGs tap into these high-value sectors through its Mahila Nav-Udyami Programme.
Food processing capacity has increased 20-fold—from 12 to 242 lakh metric tonnes—driven by infrastructure and policy support, while agro-exports have grown to over $9 billion.
Towards a Green and Organic Future
Sustainability is another key pillar. The Ethanol Blending Programme has achieved 18% blending, boosting returns for sugarcane farmers. Solar irrigation under PM-KUSUM and the adoption of natural farming through schemes like Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana are transforming agricultural practices.
India’s focus on traditional grains like millets—branded as Shree Anna—has also gained international recognition, further supported by MSME PCI through awareness and value-chain development.
A Roadmap to 2047: From Seed to Market
Schemes like the Seed Mission for Self-Reliance (SMSP), One District One Product (ODOP), and PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana are helping India build a robust seed-to-market ecosystem.
MSME PCI is playing a pivotal role in mobilizing state-level coordination and enterprise development. Letters of intent have already been submitted to various state governments for setting up new agri-enterprise clusters and support ecosystems.
In a significant milestone, MSME PCI has received approval for developing 1,000 new agro-entrepreneurs in Mizoram under its pilot ODOP program. This forms part of a broader target to establish 50 lakh rural entrepreneurs by 2047
Conclusion
India’s rural economy is on the brink of a major leap—from being the provider of food to becoming the driver of economic growth. With its focus on innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability, MSME PCI is emerging as a key institution in shaping the future of rural entrepreneurship.
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