Port Blair, April 22: “Prime Minister’s Scheme for Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM FME)” is being implemented in the Islands under Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan with the aim to enhance the competitiveness of existing individual micro enterprises in the unorganized segment of the food processing industry and to promote formalization of the sector. Capacity Building is one of the important components of PM FME scheme for the aspiring entrepreneurs, Self Help Groups /Farmer Producers Organization /Cooperatives, workers and other stakeholders connected with food processing sector or doing food business in the Islands.
The Directorate of Industries in association with ICAR-CIARI conducted three days Capacity Building training programme classified under category-2 of PMFME Scheme. The programme was held in the ICAR-CIARI Fish Training Centre at Marine Hill, Port Blair from 19th to 21st April, 2022. The training was imparted by Dr. Deepitha RP, Scientist, ICAR-CIARI & Master Trainer under PMFME Scheme.
The training programme was concluded with its Valedictory session held on 21/04/2022, which was graced by Ms. Veditha Reddy, Secretary (Industries). During the valedictory session, the trainees expressed their happiness and expressed their gratitude for organizing such a valuable programme. The trainees were provided with training of value addition to Fish, Prawn etc using modern technology, preservation techniques, packaging techniques etc. Awareness on the various machineries, equipments and tools used in the fish processing units and practical demonstration was also provided to the trainees. During the training programme, resource persons from NABARD, Fisheries Department and Industries Department provided vital information about various schemes being implemented by Government of India and UT Administration.
Speaking on the occasion the Secretary (Inds) congratulated the trainees who attended the training which was overwhelmingly taken up by 26 female beneficiaries out of total 32 beneficiaries and urged them to take forward the lessons learnt by setting up of fish processing units and also further sharing the knowledge among the interested persons. She informed the trainees that value added Fish products are one of the product identified under One District One Product for its promotion to ensure using the abundant available marine resources. She also informed the trainees that they should take up setting up of enterprises by utilizing the benefits provided under PMFME scheme under which Credit-linked capital subsidy @35% of the eligible project cost with a maximum ceiling upto Rs. 10 lakh per unit will be provided. She expressed her gratitude to Dr. Deepitha RP, Scientist, ICAR-CIARI for taking the initiative for imparting the training for three days from 19th to 21st April,2022.