PM-FME Scheme: Capacity building Component launched

November 19, 2020

On November 18, 2020, the Minister of Food Processing Industries Narendra Singh Tomar launched the Capacity building Component of the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises scheme.

Features

Under the capacity building component of the scheme, the trainers are to be delivered with classroom lecture and demonstration through online mode. These trainers will in turn train the district level trainers who will ultimately train the beneficiaries. Currently, the training is to be provided for fruits and vegetable processing.

What is PM-FME Scheme?

The scheme was launched under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan and is implemented by the Ministry of Food Processing. It is a centrally sponsored scheme. The scheme is to be implemented over a period of five years between 2020-21 and 2024-25. It aims to assist two lakh micro food processing units to provide technical, financial and business support to upgrade the existing micro food processing enterprises.

Current Scenario

India is the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world after China. However, only 2% of the produce is processed. Also, India is one of the top producers of rice, wheat, tea, coffee, spices, tobacco, oilseeds and sugar.

Background

India has twenty different Agro-Climatic regions. The Agro-Climatic regions are defined based on rainfall, soil types, temperature and water availability. It influences the type of vegetation and cultivation practices. Also, India receives ideal sunshine hours round the year. These factors help India to achieve top positions in agricultural products. Though, the production is high, the revenue from agriculture is very less and so is the income of farmers. Increasing food processing will help increase agricultural revenue. Also it will help India achieve its goal of doubling farmers income by 2022.