Seminar cum Workshop on Prime Minister Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme was held on 27th November 2022 at DIC Conference Hall Kohima.

Briefing about the PMFME scheme, Functional Manager DIC Kohima Sihangle Wanth said that taking cognizance of the contribution of micro food processing the unorganized enterprises and the challenges that impede the Ministry their performance, of Food Processing Industries(MoFPI) has launched "PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme (PM FME Scheme)" through package support and services. Adding that the objectives under the scheme, including

Capacity building of entrepreneurs through technical knowledge; skill training and hand-holding support services; Increased access to credit to existing micro food processing entrepreneurs for technology upgradation Support to Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs); Self Help Groups (SHGs); Producers Cooperatives and Cooperative Societies along their entire value chain to enable micro-enterprises to avail common services; Support for the transition of existing enterprises into a formal framework for registration under the regulatory framework and compliance; Integration with organized supply chain by strengthening branding and marketing

Wanth also said the Scheme would adopt a One District One Product(ODOP) approach to reap the benefit of scale in terms of procurement of inputs, availing common services, and marketing of products where the One District One Product approach would provide a framework for value chain development and alignment of support infrastructure and more than one cluster for one product in one district. Stating that a cluster would extend beyond one district, the States would identify food products for a district, keeping in perspective the focus of the scheme on perishables; the ODOP could be a perishable Agri produce, cereal-based product, or a food product widely produced in a district.

Speaking on the Modalities and process flow of the PMFME Scheme, Inspector DIC Lhoushevikho Lhoushe informed that Applications would be invited at the district level on an ongoing basis for units interested in availing the benefits under the Scheme and Existing food processing units desiring to seek assistance under the scheme 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 shortlisting of the applications to be recommended to the Banks. He also informed the following List of Mandatory Documents Required for New Individual applicants

1. Aadhaar Card Copy of Promoter/Guarantors
2. Address Proof
3. Utility Bill, which is not more than two months old of any service provider
4. (Electricity, Telephone, Post-paid Mobile Bill, Piped Gas, Water Bill) or
5. Property of Municipal Tax Paid receipt or
6. Ration Card (Individual) or Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC)/NOC from Vilage/Locality/Concerned
7. Authority; Pan card of Concern Photocopy of Bank Statement and Bank Passbook for the last 6 months; Quotation of Machinery.

The Program was chaired by Jessy Jury FM, DIC, and the Invocation was offered by Mariam Sumi, UDA DIC Kohima, Welcome Address was delivered by Sukhonlal Langthasa, GM DIC Kohima. During the technical session, Banking Modalities and Evaluation Criteria were emphasized by Mukesh Kumar Chief Manager of Bank of Baroda Kohima, FSSAI Registration and Regulations from Peterson Pongener Designated Officer (Food Safety), Marketing & Handholding Support by Asenla Lkr, (DESHEN Food) Knowledge Sharing on Food Processing Product by S. Senka Jamir

DHO, Kohima, and Vote of Thanks was given by Kilenkala Functional Manager DIC Kohima.

(Akamla IA Kohima)