Latest news with #PradhanMantriKisanSAMPADAYojana
Indian Express
8 hours ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Chirag Paswan writes: Food processing has become a force for grassroots transformation
In the makhana belts of Madhubani, Bihar, a quiet revolution is underway. Gyanish Kumar Mishra, a young entrepreneur, has transformed a traditional crop — foxnut, or makhana — into a nationally recognised brand of flavoured snacks. With support from the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme, he has built a thriving food venture that now exports to the United States and Canada. His story reflects the broader vision of India's food processing mission: To turn local strengths into global opportunities. From Kashmir to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, micro-entrepreneurs are embracing formalisation and entering new markets. There is a structural transformation underway, aligning the strength of rural India with the momentum of national growth. Over the past 11 years, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has traversed a remarkable arc of change. With reforms to enhance Ease of Doing Business, industries today are empowered with greater autonomy and policy support. Amidst this broader transformation, the food processing sector has emerged as one of the most potent instruments of inclusive growth, agri-industrial integration, and global engagement. A few years ago, the food processing landscape was fragmented, with rampant post-harvest losses and unrealised value from agricultural produce. In 2014, the gross value addition of the sector stood at Rs 1.34 lakh crore. Today, following sustained policy focus and institutional drive, that figure has risen to Rs 2.24 lakh crore. At the forefront of this transformation stands the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, whose flagship schemes have created a supportive environment across the entire spectrum of the food processing sector. Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana, 1,604 projects have been sanctioned, leading to the creation of over 250 lakh metric tonnes of annual processing and preservation capacity and more than Rs 22,000 crore in private investment. It has directly benefited over 53 lakh farmers and more than 7.6 lakh employment opportunities have been created. Complementing this, the PMFME scheme was launched under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan with an outlay of Rs 10,000 crore to empower unorganised micro food enterprises through formalisation, capacity building, and access to credit. Over 1.41 lakh loans amounting to Rs 11,205 crore have been sanctioned to micro-enterprises and seed capital has been extended to support more than 3.3 lakh members of self-help groups (SHGs). A robust foundation for skill development and entrepreneurship has been laid under the scheme, with over one lakh individuals trained across the country. To foster innovation and support early-stage enterprises, 75 incubation centres have been approved. The scheme has also launched 17 distinctive regional brands, each rooted in local heritage. Further along the value chain, the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industries is catalysing industrial capacity and formal job creation. With committed investments of Rs 8,900 crore, the scheme has led to the creation of over 3.3 lakh jobs and added more than 67 lakh metric tonnes of processing capacity. Recognising the critical role of infrastructure in ensuring food safety and export readiness, the Union Budget 2024–25 announced the establishment of 50 multi-product irradiation units to reduce post-harvest losses and enhance shelf life, alongside 100 NABL-accredited food testing laboratories to strengthen quality assurance across the value chain. Further, in a landmark step to promote regional specialties, the government has also announced the establishment of a National Makhana Board, aimed at boosting value addition, branding, and global positioning of this unique superfood from India. The sector's industrial growth is a testament to a rapidly evolving institutional and innovation ecosystem. NIFTEM-Kundli and NIFTEM-Thanjavur, Institutes of National Importance, functioning under the aegis of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries are shaping the next generation of food technologists and entrepreneurs. A third NIFTEM is coming up in Bihar to harness the talent pool of eastern India. India's food-tech startup ecosystem is thriving as well, with over 5,000 innovators working on plant-based products, AI-enabled traceability, functional foods, and sustainable packaging. India's growing leadership in the global food economy finds powerful expression through World Food India — the Ministry's flagship international platform for investment, innovation, and collaboration. Designed to showcase India's strengths across the food processing value chain, the event has evolved into a trusted forum for global stakeholders to engage with India's agri-food ecosystem. Yet, the most profound impact of this decade remains rooted in rural India. Food processing has become a force for grassroots transformation. In Chhattisgarh, a humble tribal kitchen in Bastar, supported under the PMFME scheme, has transformed into a thriving enterprise by reimagining the use of Mahua flowers into value-added products like chocolates, energy bars, and tea. The firm has not only preserved indigenous heritage but carried it to national shelves and international markets. As we mark 11 years of the NDA Government's commitment to good governance and inclusive growth, we look ahead with renewed resolve. Our goal is unambiguous: To ensure that every shelf in the world carries a product that proudly bears the name of India — and behind every such product stands a story of collective prosperity and national pride. The writer is Minister of Food Processing Industries, Government of India
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Cold chain and irradiation facility in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada to boost tribal earnings
RAIPUR: In a first-of-its-kind initiative carrying prospects to augment tribal incomes and reduce post-harvest losses, the Dantewada district administration in south Chhattisgarh is establishing an integrated cold chain and multi-product food irradiation facility at Patarras village. The cutting-edge infrastructure first government-led facility of its kind in India under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) —is going a long way to transform how forest and horticultural produce is stored, processed, and marketed in the Bastar region. Dantewada and surrounding districts are home to abundant Minor Forest Produce (MFP) such as tamarind, mahua, wild mango, millets, and indigenous spices, among others. The sorry state of affairs remains that 10-20 per cent of these produce are either perished or lost annually due to the lack of proper storage to reduce the risk of spoilage, preservation process and value addition infrastructure. An effective solution has now been followed to minimise such losses. The land acquisition has been completed, and an agreement has been signed with the Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology for irradiation technology. The facility is scheduled to become operational in the district. The new beneficial facility addresses the critical need by combining cold storage, gamma irradiation, processing, and logistics infrastructure to extend shelf life, reduce spoilage, and improve the marketability of local products. The Dantewada administration has already identified markets for the locals in Raipur, Visakhapatnam and other key locations. 'This is the first such government-led initiative in the country under PMKSY. The service or convenience is not just an infrastructure project -- it's a game-changer for tribal livelihoods. It will help our forest produce collectors and farmers get better prices, reduce wastage, and participate in larger markets. Over time, it will energise the rural economy of Bastar and create a value chain that truly belongs to the people here,' Kunal Dudawat, Dantewada Collector, told TNIE. By reducing losses and enhancing profitability, it will increase incomes for tribal producers and create scope of local employment across the supply chain. The entire project is funded by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries and the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) in Dantewada. The government stated that keeping value addition within the region will ensure that more income stays with the Bastar tribal communicates who produce it. The initiative is also aligned with regional development strategies to minimise left-wing extremism by expanding access to sustainable livelihoods.
India Gazette
7 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
Chhattisgarh: Govt-led cold chain & irradiation facility under PMKSY to boost economy in Bastar
Dantewada (Chhattisgarh) [India], June 17 (ANI): In a landmark move to boost the tribal population's income and reduce post-harvest losses, the administration in Dantewada is establishing an Integrated Cold Chain and Multi-Product Food Irradiation Facility at Patarras village. This cutting-edge infrastructure--the first government-led facility of its kind in India under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) 2024 --is set to transform how forest and horticultural produce is stored, processed, and marketed in the Bastar region. The project, which costs around Rs 24.98 crore, is being implemented by the District Project Livelihood College Society (DPLCS), a government-registered body committed to generating livelihoods in tribal areas. Notably, Dantewada and surrounding districts are home to abundant Minor Forest Produce (MFP) such as tamarind, mahua, separate varieties of mango, millets, and indigenous spices. However, about 7-20% of this produce is lost annually due to improper storage, preservation, and value-addition infrastructure. The new facility is going to address this critical need by combining cold storage, gamma irradiation, processing, and logistics infrastructure to extend shelf life, reduce spoilage, and improve the marketability of local products. The infrastructure is going to offer faculties including 1500 metric to n coal storage, 1000 MT cold storage, five staging cold rooms (30 MT each), blast freezer and ripening chambers, Gamma Irradiation Unit (1000 KCI with Cobalt-60 source), three Refrigerated Transport Vehicles (9 MT each) and solar power system (70 KW). With a processing capacity of over 10,000 metric tons annually, the facility will serve farmers and minor forest produce collectors across Dantewada, Bastar, Bijapur, Sukma, Kondagaon, and Narayanpur. The project is funded under PMKSY. The grant in aid of Rs 10 crore will be financed under Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) and Rs 14.98 crore under District Mineral Foundation (DMF). This is the first time a government organisation is setting up a cold chain and irradiation facility under PMKSY, creating a blueprint for public sector-led infrastructure in rural India. The project is expected to generate Rs 8.5 crore in annual revenue from rental operations and value-added services, with a projected Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 29.35%. Reducing losses and enhancing profitability will directly increase incomes for tribal producers and create local employment across the supply chain. The initiative also aligns with regional development strategies to reduce Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) by expanding access to sustainable livelihoods. Land acquisition is complete, and an MoU for irradiation technology has been signed with BRIT (Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology). The facility is scheduled to be operational within 24 months. The administration has already identified markets in Raipur and Visakhapatnam, and plans are underway to explore export opportunities and develop Bastar-branded value-added products for broader market appeal. This facility exemplifies how policy, public infrastructure, and local entrepreneurship can come together to build resilient rural economies. Keeping value addition within the region ensures that more income stays with the tribal communities of Bastar, who produce it. This facility is not just an infrastructure project -- it's a game-changer for tribal livelihoods. It will help our forest produce collectors and farmers get better prices, reduce wastage, and participate in larger markets. Over time, it will energise the rural economy of Bastar and create a value chain that truly belongs to the people. (ANI)
