Food processing ministry ropes in 5 govt agencies to promote PM FME Scheme
29 Dec 2020
Ministry of food processing industries has signed a joint communique with the ministry of tribal affairs and also signed five MoUs with government agencies such as Trifed, ICAR, NSFDC, Nafed and NCDC for the implementation of PM Formlisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM FME) Scheme.
Further, the MoFPI signed an agreement with Union Bank of India as nodal bank for PM FME Scheme.
Simultaneously, a meeting chaired by Narendra Singh Tomar, union minister for FPI approved 231 ODOP of 15 states and UTs.
Tomar said the MoUs would help in providing employment and improving quality of life through government schemes in priority areas. He said small businesses cannot progress without the help of government and, therefore, it is important that they get the support of government., adding that MoFPI has made efforts to work in synergy with various departments for the benefit of common man.
PM FME scheme has total outlay of Rs 10,000 crores. He expressed hope that all organisations would function in a better way through these MoUs and people will get trained and would come forward for food production. Tomar added that awareness about `Vocal for Local’ is rising and today’s event is a welcome step in this direction.
Under tthe PM FME Scheme, the government will make available Rs800 crore to scheduled caste people who will benefit hugely, helping them to move forward in the direction of becoming Atmanirbhar. The 5 MoUs are expected to give new avenues for greater coordination and cooperation among government agencies and the tribal entrepreneurs.
The MoU with Trifed would help in branding of food products made by tribals under ‘Trifood’ while the MoU with ICAR would help in sharing food processing technology, packaging and machinery developed in various organisations. The MoU with NSFDC would enable capacity building, training, research and development of SC entrepreneurs, SHGs and other groups in food processing sector. The MoU with Nafed would help in developing new brand for ‘ Nafed Food’ products. The MoU with NCDC would help in preparing projects and detailed project reports of members of cooperative societies in food processing sector.
Union Bank of India would help in transferring the subsidy recevied from the centre and states into loan accounts.
Meanwhile, a virtual meeting of the Inter Ministerial Empowered Committee (IMEC) chaired by Tomar approved 231 products covered under One District One Product (ODOP) of 15 states/UTs.