As many as 46 biopharmaceutical products are being produced under the ₹15,000 crore production-linked incentive scheme run by the Department of Pharmaceuticals.

The sale of these products between 2022-23 and the current financial year till September reached ₹26,832 crore, including ₹16,290 crore in exports, the Department of Science and Technology informed the Lok Sabha on December 10.

Under the PLI scheme, the government gives an incentive of 10 per cent of the value of incremental sales.

Sweet aroma of success

In 2017, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research started a CSIR Aroma Mission. About 6,000 tonnes of essential oils worth ₹600 crore have been produced under the scheme; one crore rural jobs were created, the Department of Science and Technology told the Rajya Sabha recently.

More than 51,000 ha is covered under aromatic crops. Over 4,500 aroma clusters have been developed in 28 states, including 20 clusters in tribal areas. As many as 52 varieties of aromatic crops and 82 region-specific agro-technologies have been developed. For the processing of aromatic crops, 408 improved distillation units were installed in different States.

Under a skill development initiative, 2,096 training-cum-awareness programmes were organised, covering 1.22 lakh workers, including 10,000 women. Additionally, over 110 entrepreneurs were supported in developing value-added products from aroma crops, the DST said.

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Published on December 15, 2025