India's Food Processing Minister: Over 200,000 Micro Enterprises Benefit from PMFME Support Scheme

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On August 24, Chirag Paswan, Minister of Food Processing Industries of India, stated at the PMFME Conclave in New Delhi that the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme has benefited over 200,000 micro food processing enterprises.

Paswan noted that approximately 80% of the beneficiary enterprises are first-time entrepreneurs, and 44% are women. The scheme has generated 1 million direct employment opportunities. The two-day PMFME Conclave was held at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi, with over 400 representatives from various states and union territories in attendance. On the same day, Paswan also inaugurated the PMFME Bazaar, an exhibition showcasing products from beneficiary enterprises across 25 states.

According to data from the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, over 176,000 beneficiaries have received training, of whom 77% are women. More than 75,000 PMFME-supported enterprises have been formalized into the mainstream economy through registrations such as Udyam Aadhaar, FSSAI, and GST. The scheme has leveraged project investments exceeding ₹203 billion.

Launched in June 2020, the PMFME scheme is a centrally sponsored program. The scheme was initially approved for implementation from 2020-21 to 2024-25 with an allocation of ₹100 billion. It has been extended into the 2025-26 fiscal year, with a temporary validity period until September 30. The Ministry of Food Processing Industries has submitted a proposal to extend the scheme for another five years until 2031, along with a proposed increase in the credit-linked subsidy cap per unit from the current ₹1 million.