Mokokchung, October 27 (MTNews): After taking into account the contribution of micro food processing, unorganized enterprises, and the challenges that impede the Ministry’s performance, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) launched the “PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme (PMFME Scheme)” through package support and services, said Functional Manager DIC Kohima, Sihangle Wanth, during a Seminar cum Workshop on PMFME Scheme held on October 27 at DIC Conference Hall Kohima.
Wanth also elaborated on the schemes’ objectives, which included entrepreneur capacity building through technical knowledge; skill training and hand-holding support services; increased access to credit for existing micro food processing entrepreneurs for technology upgradation; and support for Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Producer Cooperatives, and Cooperative Societies throughout their entire value chain, allowing micro-enterprises to access common services; assistance with the transition of existing businesses into a formal framework for regulatory registration and compliance; integration with a well-organized supply chain through improved branding and marketing.
According to Wanth, the Scheme would use a One District One Product (ODOP) approach to reap the benefits of scale in terms of input procurement, common services, and product marketing. He stated that the One District One Product approach would provide a framework for value chain development, support infrastructure alignment, and more than one cluster for one product in one district. He stated that a cluster would include more than one district and that the states would identify food products for each district. He went on to say that the ODOP could be a perishable Agri-produce, cereal-based product, or a food product widely produced in a district.
According to Wanth, the Scheme would adopt a One District One Product (ODOP) approach to reap the benefits of scale in terms of input procurement, common services, and product marketing. He stated that the One District One Product approach would provide a framework for value chain development, support infrastructure alignment, and more than one cluster for one product in one district.
He stated that a cluster would include more than one district and that the states would identify food products for each district. According to him, the ODOP could be a perishable agricultural product, a cereal-based product, or a food product widely produced in a district.
For existing food processing units that are willing to seek assistance under the scheme, he informed them to apply on the FME portal where loan proposals would be recommended to the Banks after scrutiny and States would decide the appropriate level for short listing the applications to be recommended to the Banks.
He also informed that the following list of Mandatory Documents would be required for New Individual applicants: Aadhaar Card Copy of Promoter/Guarantors; Address Proof; Utility Bill, which is not more than two months old of any service provider; (Electricity, Telephone, Post-paid Mobile Bill, Piped Gas, Water Bill) or Property of Municipal Tax Paid receipt or Ration Card (Individual) or Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC)/NOC from Vilage/Locality/Concerned Authority; Pan card of Concern Photocopy of Bank Statement and Bank Passbook for the last 6 months; Quotation of Machinery.