Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) signed a Joint Communique with Ministry of Tribal Affairs and five memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC), National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India(NAFED) and National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) defining convergence mechanism in implementation of PM-FME (PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises) scheme. Further, the MoFPI signed an agreement with Union Bank of India as nodal bank for the scheme.
According to MoFPI, the joint communique would enable easier identification of tribal enterprises and groups in the food processing sector including minor forest produce. MoU with TRIFED would help in branding of food products made by tribals under ‘TRIFOOD’. MoU with ICAR would help in sharing food processing technology, packaging and machinery developed in various organisations. MoU with NSFDC would enable capacity building, training, research and development of SC entrepreneurs, self-help-groups (SHGs) and other groups in food processing sector. MoU with NAFED would help in developing new brand for ‘ NAFED FOOD’ products. NCDC MoU would help in preparing projects and detailed project reports of members of cooperative societies in food processing sector. Union Bank of India would help in transferring the subsidy received from the Centre and states into loan accounts.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister for Food Processing Industries (FPI), Narendra Singh Tomar, said that these MoUs would help in providing employment and improving quality of life through schemes of the Government in priority areas. Small businesses cannot progress without the help of government therefore it is important that they get the government support. He added that MoFPI had made efforts to work in synergy with various departments for the benefit of common men. PM-FME scheme has total outlay of Rs 10,000 crore. He expressed hope that all organisations would function in a better way through these MoUs and people will get trained and would come forward for food production.
Addressing the meeting, Thawar Chand Gehlot, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, said that in this scheme, Rs. 800 crore would be available for scheduled caste people who would benefit hugely and would move forward in the direction of becoming Aatmanirbhar.
Arjun Munda, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs said that it was a great opportunity to make the country strong in view of Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
RameswarTeli, MoS, MoFPI said that these five MoUs will open new avenues and would lead to greater coordination and team work.
Pushpa Subrahmanyam, Secretary, MoFPI; Deepak Khandekar, Secretary, Tribal Affairs; Maoj Joshi, AS, MoFPI; Trilochan Mahapatra, DG, ICAR; SK Narayan, CMD, NSFDC; KT Channeshappa, Executive Director, NCDC; Vinod Kumar Patnaik, General Manager, Union Bank of India; and Amit Bhatnagar, Deputy General Manager, TRIFED were present in the event.
In another meeting chaired by Narendra Singh Tomar, 231 ODOP (One District One Product) of 15 states and union territories were approved.
