PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme

Central government has come up with a new scheme for formalizing the Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) in the country. On February 9, 2021, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries launched ‘PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME)’ scheme under the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. This scheme would provide all the required assistance and support to the micro food processing enterprises for formalizing them. There are about 25 lakh unregistered food processing units in the country and this scheme aims to regularize this loop hole. It tends to adopt One District One Product approach thereby assisting and  benefiting the enterprises in capital, services, marketing, etc. The estimated outlay of this scheme is Rs. 10,000 crores for a period of 5 years.

Scheme Overview:

List of scheme lunched by Central Government

Scheme Objectives and Benefits:

• The main objective of the scheme is to regulate the micro food processing enterprises in the state
• It tends to assist the micro enterprises on requirements of common processing services, laboratories, storage, packaging, marketing, etc
• This scheme will formalize the units and thereby increase their accessibility to credit and support
• It will provide research and training facilities to the units for their up-gradation
• It tends to create sustainable employment opportunities in different parts of the country.
• It will lead to rural and economic development in the long run

Key Points:

• PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme was launched by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries as a part of AatmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyan on February 9, 2021
• Scheme related information was given in a written reply by the Minister of State for Food and Processing Industries, Shri Rameswar Teli in the Lok Sabha
• This scheme is primarily launched to regulate and formalize the micro food processing enterprises like entrepreneurs, FPOs, SHGs, Cooperatives, etc in operation
• It tends to assist the units to upgrade by providing required financial support, technical support, modern technology, branding and marketing support, etc
• One District One Product (ODOP) is the approach adopted under this scheme
• This scheme tends to focus on minimal wastage
• It tends to increasing the credibility of the farmers thereby making it easier for them to get loans
• It will provide the units with storage and processing facilities, laboratories, technology, marketing of products and so on
• It will also assist the units with market research as well as provide necessary training for skill development
• This scheme will create new sustainable employment opportunities
• It aims at doubling the income of farmers
• The estimated outlay of this scheme is Rs. 10,000 crores over a period of 5 years (2020-21 to 2024-25)
• Details of the PMFME scheme are also available at the official website of Ministry of Food Processing Industries @ mofpi.nic.in