NARI SHAKTI Leads the Way
Bharat is showcasing to the world the path of women-led development. The participation of women in the economy of Bharat is consistently increasing and the food processing industry is benefitting from it as well. Currently, more than nine crore women are associated with Self-help Groups (SHGS).
As we all know, leading scientists in the field of food science in Bharat have been women.
The variety and diversity of food that we see are the result of the skills and knowledge of Indian women. Many products in the market, such as pickles, papads, chips, and preserves, have been managed by women from their homes. Leading the food processing industry comes naturally to Indian women.
At the helm, we have Shobha Karandlaje, Union Minister of State heading the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MOFPI) and
Anita Praveen as the Secretary of MOFPI. Most of the companies including food processing have women heading the human resources development and corporate communications and company affairs.
To promote entrepreneurship among women in rural areas, the government is encouraging the setting up of more SHGS. The government has released Rs 771.12 crore as seed capital for 236,704 SHGS members under PM Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme implemented by MOFPI as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan - Vocal for Local Initiative in Food Processing (FP) sector.
The FP sector emerged as an important segment of the Indian economy in terms of its contribution to GDP, employment and exports. During the last seven years ending 2021-22, FP sector has been growing at an Average Annual Growth Rate (AAGR) of around 7.26 per cent.
Gross Value Added (GVA) in the FP sector has also increased from Rs 1.30 lakh crore in 2013-14 to Rs 2.08 lakh crore in 2021-22.
As per NSSO 2015 report, the unorganised FP sector in the country comprises nearly 25 lakh food processing enterprises which are unregistered and informal. Most of these units fall under the category of micro manufacturing units in terms of their investment in plant & machinery and turnover. These units face challenges in access to credit, modern technology and machinery, branding and marketing and food safety and hygiene.
The MOFPI has implemented a centrally sponsored five-year PMFME Scheme in 2020-21 with an outlay of Rs 10,000 crore for providing financial, technical and business support for setting up / upgradation of two lakh micro food processing enterprises in the country.
The PMFME scheme is implemented in all the 36 States/uts. Till January 31, 2024, the government has sanctioned 72,840 loans for credit linked subsidy to beneficiaries located in various States/ UTS; trained 62,140 beneficiaries under Food Processing Entrepreneurship Development Programme; launched 14 One District One Product (ODOP) Brands and 166 products successfully so far; conducted 2190 training sessions and 63,099 beneficiaries including individuals and enterprises, 526 Master Trainer, 1058 District Level Trainers and 1953 District Resource Persons have participated under capacity building programmes. MOFPI has approved 76 Incubation Centres with an outlay of Rs 205.95 crore in 25 States/uts. Out of which, five Incubation Centres have been commissioned/ inaugurated.
Buoyed by such actions, India's food sector attracted $4.18 billion in foreign direct investment between April 2014-March 2020. India's food processing sector is one of the largest in the world and its output is expected to reach $535 billion by 2025-26.
The food industry in India is rising to new heights because of the investor-friendly rules that have been put in place. Over the previous nine years, the percentage of processed food in agricultural exports has climbed from 13 to 23 percent. Over the past nine years, the export of processed food has grown impressively by almost fifteen percent. Barely a food processing industrial segment exists where Bharat has not experienced unanticipated growth. Every business and startup involved in the FP sector has a viable chance to experience growth with the active participation of Nari Shakti.