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The Hindu
an hour ago
- Business
- The Hindu
KAU-ABI opens Common Incubation Centre, launches farm exports to GCC
Kerala Agricultural University's (KAU) Agri-Business Incubator (ABI) has set a new benchmark with the inauguration of a state-of-the-art Common Incubation Centre and the flag-off of the country's first international agri export from a university-based agribusiness Incubator. The facility, established under the PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India, was inaugurated on Tuesday (August 12, 2025) by P. Rajeeve, Minister for Law, Industries & Coir, and presided over by K. Rajan, Minister for Revenue. Equipped with modern processing lines for Kerala's traditional spices, rice, coconut, millets and fruits and vegetables, the new facility also houses laboratories for product quality analysis. It is designed to support entrepreneurs, start-ups, farmers, and students in developing, processing, and scaling value-added agricultural products. Highlighting the broader vision, Mr. Rajan said, 'The presence of such a business park and environment will enhance the entrepreneurial spirit of indigenous start-ups. The facility will also boost the processing and export of Kerala's local products.' Met PMFME targets In his inaugural address, Mr. Rajeeve said Kerala is among the few States to have met the PMFME scheme's expected targets. The programme is implemented in Kerala by the Kerala Bureau of Industrial Promotion (K-BIP) under the Department of Industries & Commerce, in partnership with KAU, with Centre–State funding shared in a 60:40 ratio. He added that the State government's upcoming plan to establish food parks in collaboration with universities will create further opportunities for innovation and growth in food processing. B. Ashok, Vice-Chancellor and Agricultural Production Commissioner of Kerala, said, 'Such common incubation facilities give entrepreneurs the space to test their ideas, gain market confidence, and connect with global buyers. This is a prime example of academia driving innovation, enterprise, and export growth.' K.N. Anith, director of research at KAU, stated that the Common Incubation Centre is poised to become a model for other States by integrating academic expertise with industrial infrastructure, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP), to boost value addition in the agri-food sector. The inaugural export – executed by M/s. Nouka Enterprises – features fruit-based beverages, cookies, honey-based products and ready-to-drink and ready-to-serve produce, bound for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. This is the first time in India that products manufactured using an agri business incubator's facilities within a university have entered the export market, according to KAU sources. 'The facility's processing lines for coconut, spices, rice, fruits, vegetables, and millets, combined with advanced quality-control laboratories, are now fully operational and ready to support both domestic and export-focused enterprises,' said K.P. Sudheer, principal investigator, PMFME.
Time of India
28-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Amid adulteration scare, UP govt to train youths to produce organic alternatives
Ghaziabad: Amid rising cases of adulterated food in local markets, the state govt has launched a two-day training programme in Ghaziabad under the CM's food processing village self-employment scheme. Starting from July 29, 30 youths from Muradnagar block will be trained in safe food processing. In total, 90 rural participants will be trained, with loan provisions available for setting up food enterprises. The initiative, being implemented across the state for the first time, is organised by the horticulture and food processing department to promote self-employment in rural areas while encouraging hygienic food practices. In Ghaziabad, the programme targets youths from rural blocks, with the first phase focused on Muradnagar. Each selected participant will receive training in preparing food products such as paneer, pickles, sauces, jams, juices, bakery items, and spice mixes. You Can Also Check: Noida AQI | Weather in Noida | Bank Holidays in Noida | Public Holidays in Noida The training will also include sessions on financial planning, packaging, hygiene standards, and how to access other govt schemes like Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME), which provides financial assistance up to Rs 10 lakh. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Expense Of Toothbringing For The Elderly Could Blow You Off Dental Implant | Search ADS Search Now Undo "The focus is on building self-reliance in villages while promoting safe and hygienic food practices," said Deshmukh Kumar, in charge of the govt food processing centre in Ghaziabad. He added that 30 candidates were shortlisted from applications received earlier this month. To qualify, applicants had to be at least 21 years old, have passed Class 12, and submit valid ID along with proof of rural residence in Ghaziabad. As part of the scheme, each beneficiary is eligible for financial support up to Rs 1 lakh to start a small food processing enterprise. Larger units can avail of subsidies of up to 30% of the project cost. Participants will also receive free study material during the training. Officials said that beyond self-employment, the programme also addresses public health concerns stemming from adulterated food. Data from the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) shows that nearly 50% of food samples tested in Ghaziabad during the last financial year failed quality checks. Dairy products were among the most frequently adulterated.
Hans India
26-07-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Bihar youth turning entrepreneurs through PMFME scheme, creating jobs in Motihari
Motihari (Bihar): Bihar's economic landscape is undergoing a transformation, with its youth no longer compelled to migrate in search of employment. Thanks to the Prime Minister's Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme, many young individuals are not just becoming self-reliant, but are also generating employment opportunities for others. In East Champaran's Motihari district in Bihar, young entrepreneurs are setting up small-scale food processing units by leveraging the PMFME scheme. These enterprises are helping them become financially independent while also uplifting their communities by providing much-needed jobs. One such inspiring story is that of Arun Kushwaha, a resident of Motihari. Once a struggling farmer, Arun's life took a turn when he learned about the PMFME scheme. With the help of the State Bank of India (SBI), he secured a loan under the scheme and established a dairy farm unit in his village. Today, Arun's unit processes and packages milk, curd, cheese, and lassi, which are then exported to nearby markets. His monthly income ranges between Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh, and more importantly, he has created employment for nearly 30 local people involved in packaging, logistics, and marketing. 'Earlier, I was preparing to migrate in search of work, as farming was not yielding enough to sustain my family. But PMFME came as a game changer. Now, I'm not seeking a job – I'm providing jobs,' Arun told IANS. His success has inspired others in the village, especially those who once worked outside Bihar. Many have returned home to find meaningful employment in Arun's unit. Families are now able to live together again, enjoying a stable livelihood in their own village. Arun's story exemplifies the growing impact of the PMFME scheme, launched on June 29, 2020, by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries. The centrally sponsored scheme aims to enhance the competitiveness of existing micro-enterprises in the unorganised food processing sector and to formalise the industry through financial support and technical assistance. The scheme also seeks to empower Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Self Help Groups (SHGs), and Producer Cooperatives across their value chains. Under the scheme, 2 lakh micro food processing units are set to receive direct assistance via credit-linked subsidies, along with support for common infrastructure and institutional development.
Time of India
24-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
PAU conclave bats for expanding agri-business
Ludhiana: Having received Rs 40,000 under the PM Formulization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme, Patiala's Gurpreet Kaur earns anything between Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 3 lakh per month from the pickle SHG she founded with it. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now She has also employed four to five women. She said this scheme is a great opportunity, especially for women, to become empowered. She was speaking at a conclave at PAU Thursday. It was organised by the varsity's directorate of extension education, along with the Punjab Agro Industrial Corporation, state department of food processing, and PAU's department of processing and food engineering. It brought together entrepreneurs, farmers and scientists. Delivering his address, Punjab agriculture minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian invited suggestions for expanding the agri-business of dairy farming which could stabilise this subsidiary occupation and livelihood of the farmers as well. Further, Khuddian spoke about the state govt's plan of opening large mandis, enabling entrepreneurs and farmers to set up their shops, supply quality products to consumers and become owners of their shops. Satbir Singh Gosal, vice-chancellor, PAU, called for focusing on self-marketing and e-marketing for the long-term success of agro-processing and value addition. Dr JPS Gill, vice-chancellor, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (Gadvasu), shared that Punjab was producing 14.3 million tonnes of milk. The production was substantial, but called for diversification as only 18% milk was being processed by public or private sectors and 82% of milk being processed by unorganised sectors. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now And of the 18% being processed by private or public organizations, 90% is being sold in liquid form. So there was a huge scope of value addition because most of the cheese is being brought in from outside, he added. Since the taste buds were undergoing a drastic change, imparting training in cheese making was vital, he stressed. Besides, he suggested formation of self-help groups for the production of flavoured milk and curd, paneer, processed cheese, khoya, etc.
The Hindu
23-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
6,000 food processing industries will be set up in Karnataka: Minister
Minister for Agriculture N. Cheluvarayaswamy on Wednesday said the government has decided to establish nearly 6,000 food processing units in Karnataka, and added that a financial assistance of up to ₹15 lakh can be availed under the 'Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises' (PMFME) Scheme, with the State government providing ₹9 lakh and the Centre giving ₹6 lakh as subsidy. The Minister was speaking after inaugurating an awareness workshop on the PMFME Scheme in an innovative manner — by extracting oil using a traditional oil press at the Cauvery Hall of the Zilla Panchayat in Mandya. The Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India; Karnataka State Agricultural Produce Processing and Export Corporation Limited; Mandya District Administration; Zilla Panchayat, and the Department of Agriculture had jointly organised the workshop. In his address, the Minister said Mandya stands second in the State for providing loans and subsidies under the scheme for setting up food processing industries. Along with traditional farming, integrated farming — even in one acre of land — can give more yield with minimal expenditure with proper guidance from farm scientists and officers. The Minister said a person can earn at least ₹50,000 to ₹1,00,000 a month if schemes for food processing are used effectively. Union Minister for Agriculture Shivraj Singh Chouhan has appreciated the State Agriculture Department for its works and stated that Karnataka has performed better than other states, he added. Advising young farmers to turn into entrepreneurs adopting food processing technologies, the Minister said that instead of looking for jobs, the youth can create jobs as well by setting up units. Most people in Mandya have lands, and integrated farm practices can therefore be adopted as it provides higher yields, Mr. Cheluvarayaswamy noted. The Minister also advised that one need not be looking for high profile jobs just because they are highly educated, as they can also become entrepreneurs, setting up their own enterprises under the PMFME. ''It can be a profitable venture.' ZP CEO K.R. Nandini said Mandya is an agriculture-based district, but the income of farmers is not satisfactory. Paddy, sugarcane, and coconut are the major crops cultivated in the district, she said, suggesting that farmers can diversify their crops to enhance their incomes and choose crops suitable for the soil and climate of the district. Avocados grow well here and have good demand abroad, she said. Value addition to farm products can fetch good returns, and with the demand for ready-made food, farmers must take advantage of this, she said, adding that food processing industries create employment opportunities. MLA Shrirangapattana Ramesh Bandisidde Gowda, Karnataka State Agricultural Produce Processing and Export Corporation Limited Managing Director C.N. Shivaprakash, MySugar company chairman C.D. Gangadhar, Deputy Commissioner Kumar, State Agriculture Society president Manjunath Gowda, director of State Farmer Producer Organisations Cooperative Rajesh, president of Bellada Nadu Farmer Producer Companies Federation Kasaravadi Mahadev, and other dignitaries were present.
