The Sheep Husbandry Department Bandipora on Saturday organised a day long workshop on centrally sponsored scheme "PM-Formalization of Micro food processing (PMFME) at Town Hall Hajin, Bandipora.
The programme was organised under the supervision of District Sheep Husbandry Officer Bandipora (Nodal officer PMFME scheme District Bandipora) Dr. Showkat Ahmad Ahangar.
The program witnessed overwhelming participation of youth, progressive farmers and aspiring entrepreneurs interested in setting up micro food processing units.
The members of District level screening committee (DLSC) of PM-FME scheme were also present.
Speaking on the occasion, District Nodal officer PMFME scheme presented the overview of micro food processing sector in the country and need to strengthen/ integrate the existing unorganized micro food processing units with the formal supply chain.
He said lack of adequate processable varieties continue to pose a significant challenge to this processing sector.
Dr. Showkat further said that as part of the Self-reliant India (Aatm Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan) mission, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries launched the 'PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME)’ scheme to provide financial, technical and business support to upgrade the existing micro food processing enterprises.
He said the objectives of the scheme are formalization of micro food processing units, financial assistance to individuals for up-gradation of units,Training and technical knowledge, financial assistance to groups for the common infrastructure, branding and marketing support and assistance to avail loans besides prepare detailed project reports (DPRs).
Dr Showkat urged the youth to set up their own individual micro enterprises and avail the benefit of credit linked subsidy @35% of the eligible project cost with a maximum ceiling of Rs 10.0 lakh per unit and interest subvention @2% available under the scheme.
He 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 @35% of the eligible project cost with a maximum ceiling of Rs 3.00 crore. However total eligible project cost should not exceed Rs 10.00 crore with no preconditions like minimum turnover & experience of the applicant.
He further informed that the scheme provides complete hand holding for the interested beneficiaries including training, technology, branding , access to capital and marketing, However for availing benefit under the scheme the applicants need to register themselves on pmfme portal.
The DSHO 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) nominated by the Govt for assistance in the application submission process, support in DPR preparation, getting a bank loan, etc.
The experts from district level committee on PMFME deliberated upon aims and objectives of the scheme which primarily focus on the competitiveness of existing individual micro-enterprises in the unorganized segment of the food processing industry and promote formalization of the sector.
They urged the youth to set up their own individual enterprises like milk, poultry, vegetable, fruit and mutton processing units.
The officers exhorted 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 micro food processing sector.