India, Jan. 29 -- The Government of India has issued a release:
Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) is implementing a centrally sponsored "PM Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme" for providing financial, technical and business support for setting up of new/ upgradation of micro food processing enterprises in the country. The details of financial assistance eligible for micro food processing enterprises under the Scheme are at Annexure.
To support the beneficiaries, handholding support is provided by District Resource Person (DRPs) to micro enterprises in preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), securing bank loans, providing training, upgradation of the units, obtaining necessary regulatory approvals, ensuring hygiene standards etc. Further, formalization of units is facilitated through Udyam Aadhaar registration, Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) registration, Goods & Services Tax (GST) registration as per the applicability.
The Capacity Building component of the PMFME Scheme envisages Food Processing Entrepreneurship Development Program Training for all applicants viz individuals and Groups (Self Help Groups (SHGs)/ Famers Producer Organisations (FPOs)/ Cooperatives) for availing credit linked grant recommended by District Level Committee (DLC) and also training to SHG beneficiaries of Seed Capital engaged in micro food processing.
Support for Common Facility Centres (CFCs) and incubation centres has been provided under the PMFME Scheme to improve operational capacity of micro food processing enterprises. These facilities offer high-end processing, testing, storage, packaging and training infrastructure for demonstration, as well as access to technical assistance, product development and quality testing. This shared infrastructure reduces capital costs and improves access to modern technology for micro entrepreneurs.
The scheme provides Branding and Marketing support to help beneficiaries for market access to boost the visibility and sales of their products. This is achieved through strategic tie-ups with regional and national retail chains. For this, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal has been done on 14th November, 2024 to facilitate marketing of products manufactured by the units supported under PMFME Scheme.
The marketing efforts focus on positioning products under the common brand to stand out from competitors. The brand's Unique Selling Proposition (USP) is built around standardization, quality, and premium packaging. To ensure consistency in taste and quality under the scheme, the approved brands under the scheme, adhere to product development, quality assurance, ingredient standards, packaging, and labelling in compliance with FSSAI regulations.
The scheme provides support of credit-linked grant of 35% of the eligible project cost, seed capital of up to Rs. 40,000, capacity building for beneficiaries, and handholding support for the formalization of units. Formalization of units is facilitated through Udyam Aadhaar registration, FSSAI registration, GST registration as per the applicability by handholding support by DRPs.
The Scheme contributes to rural employment generation by strengthening local food processing value chains, promoting value addition to agricultural produce, supporting upgradation and establishment of new micro units, thereby creating direct and indirect employment opportunities, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas.
Further, by providing capacity building, technical handholding, incubation support, branding and market linkages under the PMFME scheme encourages entrepreneurship opportunities.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Shri Ravneet Singh in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
