Minister of Industry, Labour, Planning, Training and Skill Development Department, Sanjay Prasad Yadav on Sunday asked people across Jharkhand to engage in food production, packaging, and branding at a micro level to contribute towards making the state self-reliant. He emphasized that Pradhan Mantri Micro Food Industry Upgradation Scheme (PMFME) is a crucial step in the government’s mission to promote self-reliance among small entrepreneurs.
He was addressing the inaugural ceremony of the divisional level PMFME festival under the Pradhan Mantri Micro Food Industry Upgradation Scheme (PMFME) took place at Gopal Maidan, Jamshedpur.
Several distinguished dignitaries also attended, including District Council President Bari Murmu, Secretary Industry, Jharkhand Arwa Rajkamal, Deputy Commissioner Saraikela Kharsawan Ravi Shankar Shukla, Director Industry, Jharkhand Sushant Gaurav, Deputy Commissioner East Singhbhum Ananya Mittal, Deputy Development Commissioner Aniket Sachan, SDM Dhalbhum Shatabdi Majumdar, and DM DIC Ravi Shankar Prasad.
The two-day divisional level festival aims to promote and provide continuous exposure to micro enterprises. Over 50 different funded units from the three districts of Kolhan division participated in the exhibition, displaying a variety of products related to dairy processing, millet (ragi), mushroom cultivation, grain processing, food packaging, and seed capital. Additionally, food processing machinery and equipment were showcased to facilitate business owners in the sector.
The Minister visited the stalls, interacted with entrepreneurs, and appreciated their efforts in food processing. He emphasized that the core objective of PMFME is to support small entrepreneurs in the food processing sector by promoting healthy competition and providing financial assistance.
While addressing the gathering, Sanjay Prasad Yadav highlighted the financial benefits of the PMFME scheme, which include: A capital grant of up to Rs. 10 lakh per unit (35% of the project cost) for entrepreneurs, individuals, or groups engaged in small- or large-scale food production or packaging. A capital grant of up to Rs. 3 crore (maximum Rs. 10 crore) at a rate of 35% of the project cost for Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Farmer Producer Companies (PFCs), Cooperatives, and Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Initial working capital assistance of Rs. 40,000 per member for SHGs involved in food processing.
Further, financial aid is available for packaging, branding, and standardization of food products to ensure quality and safety standards. The Minister stated that in the financial year 2024-25, a total of 1638 PMFME loans have been sanctioned across Jharkhand, with over 500 units established in the districts of East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum, and Saraikela Kharsawan.
To streamline the process of availing benefits under this scheme, the District Resource Persons (DRPs) have been deployed to assist applicants in submitting loan applications and securing approvals from banks. The Minister also directed banks to process applications efficiently and facilitate the quick disbursal of funds to build trust in the scheme and encourage wider participation.
Expressing confidence in the growth of the food processing industry in Jharkhand, Sanjay Prasad Yadav stated that Jharkhand, which is primarily known for its heavy industries, will soon gain recognition as a hub for small-scale food processing enterprises. He reiterated that with proper implementation of the PMFME scheme, more entrepreneurs will step into the food processing sector, further strengthening the state's economy and employment opportunities.
The PMFME festival continues to witness enthusiastic participation from entrepreneurs and stakeholders, making it a significant step toward fostering micro-enterprises and economic self-sufficiency in Jharkhand.
