Govt Promoting Women Participation In Food Processing Sector, Says Minister

New Delhi, Mar 14 (KNN) The government is promoting women’s participation in the food processing sector through financial incentives, training programmes and entrepreneurship support under various central schemes, the Rajya Sabha was informed.

Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Ravneet Singh in written reply to a question said that government is providing financial support for engagement of women in food processing activities.

To strengthen the sector, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) is implementing key schemes including the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY), the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI) and the PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme (PMFME).

These initiatives provide subsidies and incentives for setting up or expanding food processing infrastructure across the country, benefiting rural women, micro enterprises and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Under the PMFME scheme, women Self Help Groups (SHGs) engaged in food processing activities are eligible for seed capital support of up to Rs 40,000 per member. Individual SHG members can also access credit-linked grants of 35 percent of the project cost, subject to a maximum limit of Rs 10 lakh for setting up food processing units.

The scheme further supports capacity building through training programmes for entrepreneurs, trainers and district resource persons, focusing on entrepreneurship development and product-specific skill development.

In addition, MoFPI provides institutional support through National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management, Kundli (NIFTEM-K) in Haryana and National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management, Thanjavur (NIFTEM-T) in Tamil Nadu.

These institutes offer mentorship, incubation facilities, pilot plants, NABL-accredited food testing laboratories, research and development support, and networking opportunities for entrepreneurs, including women-led enterprises.

(KNN Bureau)