PMFME Scheme Tops 2 Lakh Beneficiaries: Chirag Paswan
Union Minister says milestone reflects grassroots enterprise growth and women-led development
- PMFME Scheme sanctions loans to over two lakh micro food processing enterprises.
- Scheme leverages investments of over ₹20,300 crore and generates nearly 11 lakh jobs.
- Around 44% beneficiaries are women and 90% are first-generation entrepreneurs.
- Chirag Paswan says the milestone strengthens the vision of Viksit Bharat.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 11th July: Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Chirag Paswan on Saturday hailed the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme for achieving the landmark milestone of sanctioning loans to more than two lakh micro food processing enterprises, calling it a significant step towards strengthening grassroots entrepreneurship and building a self-reliant India.
Speaking at a special event in New Delhi, the Minister said the achievement demonstrates that the Government’s vision of enterprise-led development is translating into measurable outcomes across the country.
According to the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, the scheme has leveraged project investments of over ₹20,300 crore, while nearly 90 per cent of the beneficiaries are first-generation entrepreneurs. Around 44 per cent of the beneficiaries are women, reflecting the government’s emphasis on women-led development under the vision of Viksit Bharat.
The ministry said more than 75,000 PMFME-supported enterprises have entered the formal economy through registrations such as Udyam Aadhaar, Udyam Assist, FSSAI and GST, while the scheme has generated nearly 11 lakh direct and indirect employment opportunities.
The event was attended by senior ministry officials, representatives of state governments, banking institutions, development partners, entrepreneurs, Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).
During the programme, the ministry released publications highlighting the scheme’s achievements, showcased success stories of entrepreneurs and facilitated interactions between the Minister and PMFME beneficiaries.
Joint Secretary Devesh Deval announced the launch of a nationwide multimedia awareness campaign and highlighted that the PMFME Scheme provides end-to-end support to entrepreneurs, including financial assistance, training, branding, marketing and market linkages.
Food Processing Secretary A. P. Das Joshi described the milestone as evidence of a stronger ecosystem for India’s micro food processing sector, saying the scheme integrates finance, technology, capacity building and market access while promoting ease of doing business through District Resource Persons.
Officials highlighted the success of the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative, under which 40 common brands covering nearly 200 products, including makhana, millets, spices and GI-tagged products, are being promoted across the country.
Addressing the gathering, Paswan praised the performance of leading states such as Bihar, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh, and said the milestone forms a strong foundation for the next phase of India’s food processing growth story.
The Minister also highlighted that over 4.18 lakh Self-Help Group members have received Seed Capital support, while 80 Common Incubation Centres have been approved across 27 States and Union Territories, with 32 centres already operational. More than 1.76 lakh beneficiaries have undergone training under the scheme, 77 per cent of them women.
During the event, Paswan felicitated Inderjeet Singh of Ranchi, Jharkhand, who became the scheme’s two lakhth credit-linked beneficiary, and presented him with the loan sanction letter and a certificate.
The Ministry said the achievement reinforces the Government’s commitment to formalising and strengthening the micro food processing sector under the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat @2047.
