New Delhi, Apr 8 (FN Bureau) The government is pursuing convergence of various schemes of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) and the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD)–to optimise resource utilization and maximise benefits to the masses in the food processing sector. With a view to provide financial, technical and business support for upgradation of existing micro food processing enterprises, MoFPI has launched an all India “Centrally Sponsored Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM FME) Scheme” to be implemented over a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25 with an outlay of Rs10,000 crore.
MoFPI and DeendayalAntyodayaYojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) of the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) have agreed to work together on implementing the PM-FME to support Self Help Group (SHG) entrepreneurs in food processing, said a statement of the Ministry of Rural Development. Of all the components of the scheme, both ministries have decided to work closely on the component of providing seed capital support to SHG members. This involves working capital and purchase of small tools with the maximum permissible amount of support as Rs. 40,000 per SHG member based on their existing business turnover and requirement.
“The concerned teams of both the ministries at National level worked together in formalizing the operational framework for the scheme, the guidelines, joint advisories, training and awareness campaigns etc. to facilitate the implementation of this component,” said the statement. The State Rural Livelihood Missions in the States/UTs and the State Nodal Agencies appointed by MoFPI are executing the programme in close coordination. This involves identification of targeted eligible beneficiaries, capturing their aspirations & growth plans in the form of applications, digitize, review, recommend and approve them. The States are in process of releasing funds to respective SHGs and SHG members through the network of community organizations like Cluster Level Federations (CLFs) and Village Organizations (VOs).
A robust system is also being developed for regular monitoring of the rural food processing enterprises operationalized by SHG members and supported under this scheme. This convergence has leveraged the strength of both the ministries and is sure to empower rural women livelihoods in the critical sector of food processing, said the statement.