Sri Vijaya Puram, July 17: The Andaman and Nicobar Administration has invited applications under the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM FME) Scheme, offering financial assistance to individuals, Self Help Groups (SHGs), cooperatives and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) to establish and strengthen micro food processing enterprises across the Islands.
The Department of Industries is implementing the Centrally Sponsored PM FME Scheme under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan with the objective of strengthening backward and forward linkages, creating common infrastructure and improving packaging, branding and marketing of products manufactured by micro food processing enterprises.
Under the scheme, eligible beneficiaries will receive financial assistance in the form of grants and seed capital to support the establishment and expansion of food processing units. The initiative targets individuals, SHGs, cooperatives and FPOs engaged in the food processing sector.
The scheme follows the “One District One Product” (ODOP) approach to promote products with district-specific potential and achieve economies of scale in procurement of raw materials, common services and marketing. Under this approach, marine-based fish products have been identified as the ODOP for South Andaman district, while coconut-based products have been identified for the Nicobar and North and Middle Andaman districts.
For individual micro enterprises, the scheme provides a credit-linked capital subsidy of 35 per cent of the eligible project cost, subject to a maximum limit of Rs.10 lakh per unit. Beneficiaries are required to contribute a minimum of 10 per cent of the total project cost.
Self Help Groups are also eligible for support through seed capital assistance. Under this component, each SHG member can receive seed capital of Rs.40,000 for meeting working capital requirements and purchasing tools required for food processing activities.
The Administration has asked entrepreneurs interested in establishing food processing units under the scheme to submit applications through the online PM FME portal.
For availing seed capital assistance, SHG members from rural areas have been advised to approach the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Rural Livelihood Mission under the Department of Rural Development and Panchayat. SHG members from urban areas have been asked to contact the Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council.
The Directorate of Industries stated that further information on the scheme can be obtained from its office at Middle Point, Sri Vijaya Puram, or from branch offices of the Industries Department during working hours between 9 am and 5 pm.
