The Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme has crossed the milestone of sanctioning loans to more than two lakh micro food processing enterprises across the country. The Scheme has leveraged project investments of over 20 thousand 300 crore rupees and generated nearly 11 lakh direct and indirect employment opportunities.
Addressing a special event in New Delhi today, Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Chirag Paswan said that the achievement is not merely a milestone to celebrate but a strong foundation for the next phase of India’s food processing growth story. He emphasised that the achievement demonstrates that the vision is translating into measurable outcomes across the country. Mr Paswan also underlined that the participation of women entrepreneurs, at nearly 44 per cent of all beneficiaries, reflects the true spirit of women-led development, a cornerstone of Viksit Bharat. During the event, Mr Paswan also felicitated the two lakh beneficiary, Inderjeet Singh from Ranchi in Jharkhand, and handed over the sanction letter and certificate.
On the occasion, the Minister highlighted the Scheme’s Seed Capital support, under which more than four lakh 18 thousand Self Help Group members have been supported. He said, 80 Common Incubation Centres have been approved across 27 States and Union Territories, of which 32 have been commissioned. He also commended the performance of leading States, including Bihar, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh, and appreciated State Governments, district administrations and field functionaries for transforming a national policy into a grassroots movement for enterprise development.
Ministry of Food Processing Industries has said that nearly 90 per cent of the beneficiaries under the Scheme are first-generation entrepreneurs, while 44 per cent are women entrepreneurs. The Ministry noted that over 75 thousand PMFME-supported enterprises have entered the formal economy through registrations such as Udyam Aadhaar, Udyam Assist, FSSAI and GST. It further highlighted that more than one lakh 76 thousand beneficiaries have been trained under the Scheme, of whom 77 per cent are women.
Addressing the event, Secretary, Food Processing Industries, A P Das Joshi said the milestone reflects the emergence of a stronger ecosystem for the micro food processing sector in India. He said PMFME combines finance, formalisation, technology, capacity building and market access into an integrated approach for enterprise development. Mr Joshi also highlighted the Scheme’s network of District Resource Persons. He said their work reflects the successful convergence of Digital India and Ease of Doing Business at the grassroots level.
Joint Secretary in the Ministry, Devesh Deval said the PMFME Scheme provides end-to-end support to micro food processing entrepreneurs, including financial assistance, training, handholding, branding, marketing and market linkages. He added that the Scheme is transforming livelihoods, strengthening local value chains and creating sustainable employment opportunities across the country. The officials also highlighted the Scheme’s One District One Product approach and its support for 40 common brands covering nearly 200 products. The initiative is building local value chains around products such as Makhana, millets, spices and GI-tagged products across the country.
The event featured the release of key publications highlighting the achievements of the Scheme and the sharing of success stories by entrepreneurs. The programme was attended by senior officers of the Ministry, representatives of State Governments, partner Ministries, banking institutions, development partners, entrepreneurs, Self Help Groups and Farmer Producer Organisations.
