Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme
MoFPI has taken various initiatives / measures to increase the scheme uptake and to create awareness among the various stakeholders including women groups and public at large through National & State level awareness campaigns such as Newspaper advertisements, Radio Jingles, Exhibitions & Expos, Fairs, Buyer-Seller Meets etc. since the inception of the scheme.
Source: https://www.pib.gov.in/
NDA govt doubled MSP, quadrupled crop procurement: Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Rajya Sabha
The NDA government has not only fixed the Minimum Support Price of crops at double their cost of production but has also increased procurement four-fold compared to the UPA government, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan said in the Rajya Sabha on Friday. Responding to supplementaries during Question Hour in the Upper House regarding Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, Chouhan said the previous UPA government had refused to give a 50 per cent hike over the cost of production of crops as recommended by the Swaminathan Commission. However, the Modi government in 2019 decided to accept these recommendations and offer MSP with a 50 per cent margin over the production cost, he added.
Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/
Crop Diversification and Promotion of High-Value Crops
The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) is implementing Crop Diversification Programme (CDP), a sub-scheme of Pradhan MantriRashtriyaKrishiVikasYojana (PM-RKVY), in the Original Green Revolution States viz; Haryana, Punjab and Western Uttar Pradesh since 2013-14 to divert the area of rice crop to alternative crops such as pulses, oilseeds, coarse cereals, nutri cereals, cotton etc. The CDP provides support to the farmers for four major components viz., (i) alternate crop demonstrations, (ii) farm mechanization and value addition, (iii) site specific activities and (iv) contingency for awareness, training, implementation, monitoring, etc.
Source: https://www.pib.gov.in/
APEDA orders 100% physical verification of organic farmers to strengthen certification integrity
According to officials, the decision aims to tighten oversight, eliminate loopholes, and restore confidence among international buyers, many of whom have raised questions about the authenticity of organic consignments in recent years. Physical verification will include on-ground inspection of farms, crop assessments, verification of input usage, adherence to organic practices, and cross-checking data uploaded in certification systems. The directive is expected to cover lakhs of farmers currently registered with accredited certification bodies across the country. APEDA has instructed certifying agencies to complete the verification process within a defined timeframe and submit detailed reports, supported by photographic and geo-tagged evidence. Any discrepancies, including mismatch in acreage, false declarations or non-compliance with organic standards, will attract strict penalties, suspension, or blacklisting of operators.
Source: https://www.fnbnews.com/
Challenges Faced by Approved Units Under PLISFPI
The Ministry has not observed any operational challenges among the approved units under Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industries (PLISFPI). Support is provided under the PLISFPI scheme to facilitate greater participation of small and medium enterprises and diversification into new and value added product categories. Under the PLISFPI Scheme, 69 applicants and 40 contract manufacturers of the applicants are from Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Sector. Further, Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) provides support to micro enterprises under Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) and Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) Schemes.
Source: https://www.pib.gov.in/
FSSAI extends enforcement of labelling provisions for alcobevs by 6 months
The said regulations, notified in June this year, were related to mead (honey wine), craft beer, wine-based beverages, alcoholic ready to drink products and Indian liquor along with some provisions related to labelling requirements. As per FSSAI, it was in receipt of several representations from the stakeholders highlighting the fact that the alcoholic beverages are also governed under the State Excise Laws, and label registration is mandatory and generally aligned with the commencement of the excise year i.e. April 1 or in certain states, July 1.
Source: https://www.fnbnews.com/
EU team to meet Piyush Goyal tomorrow on FTA
The visiting European Union (EU) team will hold discussions with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday on the progress of negotiations on the proposed free trade agreement, an official said. The meeting is important as both sides are eager to conclude the negotiations as early as possible.The team, led by EU's Directorate-General for Trade Sabine Weyand, is here to iron out differences on issues pertaining to both goods and services. They have fixed the year-end deadline to conclude talks.
Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/
India, Russia eye trade boost with more diversified basket
India and Russia are looking to expand and diversify bilateral trade, targeting $100 billion by 2030. Both nations are also mulling ways to resolve the trade balance, currently heavily skewed in favour of Russia.
Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/
Export of Organic Food Products
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) through implementation of various initiatives and schemes viz. Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY), Prime Minister Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) and Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industries (PLISFPI) aims for the overall development of food processing sector including organic food products. Under various component of the aforementioned schemes, the MoFPI provides financial assistance for creation of modern infrastructure with efficient supply chain management from farm gate to retail outlet. The infrastructure created and assistance provided aims at providing better returns to farmers, creation of employment opportunities, reducing wastage, increasing the processing level and enhancing the export of the processed foods including organic food exports.
Source: https://www.pib.gov.in/
Initiatives to Boost Food Processing and Minimize Loss
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has been implementing Central Sector umbrella scheme – Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) since 2017-18 across the country. The component schemes under PMKSY are (i) Mega Food Parks (MFP scheme- discontinued w.e.f. 01.04.2021), (ii) Integrated Cold Chain & Value Addition Infrastructure (iii) Creation of Infrastructure for Agro Processing Clusters (APC scheme), (iv) Creation/ Expansion of Food Processing and Preservation Capacities (CEFPPC scheme), (v) Creation of Backward and Forward Linkages (CBFL scheme- discontinued w.e.f. 01.04.2021) and (vi) Operation Greens (OG scheme). The schemes are demand driven and proposals are invited by floating Expression of Interest from time to time based on availability of funds. Under these component schemes, MoFPI provides financial support in the form of grants-in-aid/ subsidy for setting up of food processing projects thereby creating both processing and preservation infrastructure facilities including cold chain infrastructure.
Source: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2198688®=3&lang=1