Workshop on setting up micro food processing enterprises under CSS- PMFME scheme held at B’pora

Bandipora: The Sheep Husbandry Department Bandiporaorganised a daylong workshop on centrally sponsored scheme “PM-Formalization of Micro food processing (PMFME)” at Veterinary complex, (BVO office) Bandipora.
The programme witnessed participation of progressive farmers, poultry farmers and aspiring entrepreneurs interested in upgrading their existing micro food processing units and setting up new individual or group enterprises and was attended by members of District level screening committee (DLSC) of PMFME scheme.
In his inaugural address, District Sheep Husbandry Officer Bandipora (District Nodal Officer PMFME scheme), DrShowkat Ahmad presented detailed overview of micro food processing sector in the J&K and need to integrate the existing unorganized micro food processing units with the formal supply chains.
He said that as part of the self-reliant India (AatmNirbhar Bharat Abhiyan) mission, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries launched the PMFME scheme to provide financial, technical and business support to upgrade the existing micro food processing enterprises and to integrate around 2 lac micro food processing enterprises in the unorganized sector with formal supply chains.
The nodal officer PMFME scheme said that under the scheme it is envisaged to bring 2 lac food processing units in the formal sector.
He said that the Govt has appointed District resource person (DRP) which is considered as pillar and foot soldier of the scheme for identification and mobilization of beneficiaries through various interventions and complete hand holding support to the aspiring youths.He urged the youth to set up their own individual micro enterprises AND avail the benefit of credit linked subsidy at 35% of the eligible project cost with a maximum ceiling of Rs 10 lakh per unit and interest subvention at 2% available under the scheme.
Dr. Showkat said that under support to Group category for setting up of common infrastructure/ value chain/ incubation centre, the applicant organizations can avail credit linked capital subsidy at 35% of the eligible project cost with a maximum ceiling of Rs 3crore. However, total eligible project cost should not exceed Rs 10 crore with no preconditions like minimum turnover and experience of the applicant.
He further said that interested youth of age group 18 years and above who desire to avail the benefit under the scheme should contact the District resource person (DRP) for assistance in the application submission process, support in DPR preparation, getting a bank loan, etc.
The experts from the district level committee on PMFME deliberated upon the aims and objectives of the scheme.
The officers reminded that the primary focus of Agriculture and allied Departments continues to remain on self-employment and capacity building of the youth for creating livelihood opportunities in the micro food processing sector.