Union Minister for Food Processing Industries virtually inaugurated the capacity building component of the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises scheme (PM-FME Scheme) and launched the GIS One District One Product (ODOP) digital map of India.

The scheme envisages imparting training to food processing entrepreneurs, various groups, viz., SHGs / FPOs / Co-operatives, workers, and other stakeholders associated with the implementation of the scheme”

Under the PM-FME scheme, states have identified the food products of districts, keeping in view the availability of existing clusters and raw materials. The GIS ODOP digital map of India provides details of ODOP products of all the states and facilitate the stakeholders. The digital map also has indicators for tribal, SC, ST, and aspirational districts. It will enable stakeholders to make concerted efforts for its value chain development

Launched under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises (PM-FME) Scheme is a centrally sponsored scheme aims to enhance the competitiveness of existing individual micro-enterprises in the unorganized segment of the food processing industry and promote formalization of the sector and provide support to Farmer Producer Organizations, Self Help Groups, and Producers Cooperatives along their entire value chain. With an outlay of Rs. 10,000 crore over a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25, the scheme envisions to directly assist the 2,00,000 micro food processing units for providing financial, technical, and business support for upgradation of existing micro food processing enterprises.

FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY IN INDIA/OPPURTUNITIES

Food processing is defined as transforming agricultural products into food that are in consumable form or transforming one food item into another by adding value to it.

Along with generating higher and stable income for the farming population. Food processing industry (FPI) is one area which has the potential to add value to farm output, create alternate employment opportunities, improve exports and strengthen the domestic supply chain.

FPI would reduce wastages in agricultural produce.

FPI has a prominent place among sectors in terms of share in employment in the manufacturing sector and because of its labour intensive nature it has higher multiplier effect on the overall economy.

key challenges faced by the food processing industry:

(i) gaps in supply chain infrastructure (i.e., lack of primary processing, storage and distribution facilities);

(ii) inadequate link between production and processing;

(iii) seasonality of operations and low capacity utilisations;

(iv) institutional gaps in supply chain, viz., dependence on APMC markets, etc.;

(v) inadequate focus on quality and safety standards; and

(vi) lack of product development

GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES

For innovation or uniform implementation of food quality standards, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) launched “One Nation, One Food Law” initiative

To boost credit disbursement at affordable rates to the food processing sector, a special fund of ` 2000 crore has been set up in National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)