Organic food production sector in NE to be benefited | PM FME scheme

'PM FME' SCHEME UNDER 'ATMANIRBHAR BHARAT ABHIYAN'

Facilities of warehouses, cold storage, marketing and branding to be provided in the clusters of fruits and vegetables: Union Minister Teli

NEW DELHI: Stating that the North East States will stand to benefit immensely from the the 'PM FME' (PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises) scheme, Union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Rameswar Teli pointed out that it would leverage the organic food production and the food processing industry in the enire north-eastern region.

Addressing the virtual launch of 'Sapno ki Udaan', Teli said that the 'PM FME' and the 'Extended Operation Greens' schemes launched under the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan', would directly benefit farmers and micro-entrepreneurs who contribute significantly to the Indian economy. He added that the food processing industry provides employment to about 55 lakh people in the rural areas; and added that this sector is a ray of hope specially for those people who have returned to their villages and homes during the COVID-19 crisis.

Teli also said that the Government aims to connect the unorganized food processing units to the mainstream. He further stated that under this scheme, facilities of warehouses, cold storage and marketing as well as branding will be provided in the clusters of fruits and vegetables. He informed that this scheme would focus on North East, women, SCs, STs and the 'Aspirational Districts'. He added that the Northeast is well known for its organic products. Pineapple, banana, turmeric, ginger, oranges, black rice, bamboo and other products are available in abundance in the region.

Minister Teli added that the processing of farm produce needs to be increased which can be done with the help of the new schemes launched under 'Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan'.

Providing details of the scheme, Teli informed that under the 'Extended Operation Greens' scheme, all varieties of fruits and vegetables have been included now. This scheme would help in price stability and fair returns to the farmers. He added that 50% subsidy for transportation of fruits and vegetables would be provided under this scheme. He concluded by saying that both the schemes of MoFPI would contribute significantly in employment generation, reducing wastage of farm produce, formalization of micro units and providing fair returns to the farmers. (PIB)

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