Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 08 November 2024
The Department of Industries, A & N Administration, is implementing the “Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises” (PMFME) scheme under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. This initiative aims to enhance backward and forward linkages, common infrastructure, packaging, branding, and marketing for micro food processing businesses across the islands.
The scheme provides financial assistance in the form of grants and seed capital to individuals, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Co-operatives, and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) looking to formalize and grow their food processing enterprises.
The PMFME scheme adopts the ‘One District One Product’ (ODOP) approach, designed to maximize scale benefits in terms of inputs, services, and marketing. For South Andaman District, the focus will be on marine-based fish products, while Nicobar and North & Middle Andaman districts will concentrate on coconut-based products.
Key Components of the Scheme:
1. Support for Individual Micro Enterprises:
– Credit-linked capital subsidy of 35% of the eligible project cost, up to Rs. 10 lakh per unit.
– A minimum of 10% beneficiary contribution is required.
2. Group Category Support for FPOs/Producers Cooperatives:
– Credit-linked grant of 35% of the project cost.
– Training support.
3. Self-Help Groups (SHGs):
– Seed capital of Rs. 40,000 per SHG member for working capital and tool purchases.
– Support for individual SHG members with credit-linked grants of 35%, up to Rs. 10 lakh.
– Capital investment support at the Federation of SHG level.
– Training and handholding support for SHGs.
4. Support for Common Infrastructure:
– Credit-linked grant of 35% for creating common facilities like:
– Premises for assaying, sorting, grading, warehousing, and cold storage at farm-gate.
– Common processing facilities for ODOP products.
– Incubation centres.
5. Branding and Marketing Support:
– Grant for branding and marketing support is 50% of total expenditure, subject to prescribed limits.
Eligibility Criteria:
– Existing and new food processing units, particularly those focused on ODOP and other products.
– Micro food processing enterprises with investments under Rs. 1 crore.
– Must have credit linkage support from scheduled banks or recognized financial institutions.
Entrepreneurs interested in setting up food processing units under the PMFME scheme can apply online at https://pmfme.mofpi.gov.in/pmfme/#/Login. For further information, interested individuals can contact the Directorate of Industries at Sri Vijaya Puram, phone number 03192-234360, or visit the Branch Office of the Industries Department on working days between 9 am and 5 pm.