Lucknow : Uttar Pradesh has emerged as the top-performing state in the country in implementing the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya announced during a high-level review meeting held at his Camp Office on Kalidas Marg.
Highlighting the immense employment potential of the food processing industry, Maurya directed officials to widely publicize the PMFME scheme and food processing policies through all available media platforms. “Our goal is to establish at least one processing unit in every village,” he said, underlining the state’s commitment to rural development and job creation.
The Deputy Chief Minister also emphasized the inclusion of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in food processing ventures to empower rural communities economically. “Linking SHGs to these industries will strengthen grassroots entrepreneurship,” he added.
Key Directives Issued During the Meeting:
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Organize workshops for District Resource Persons to boost awareness and skill-building in the food processing sector.
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Operationalize incubation centres across the state on top priority and ensure their benefits reach both groups and individuals.
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Gather feedback from 10 beneficiaries in each district under the PMFME scheme to assess ground realities.
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Conduct training across all blocks in Lucknow as a pilot project to spread awareness of the PMFME scheme.
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Inform rural communities every Friday during Gram Chaupals in two village panchayats per block about the benefits and application process of the scheme.
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Establish a call center at the headquarters to address queries and ensure better execution.
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Develop a work plan for the ongoing financial year, with clear targets and deadlines for effective monitoring and delivery.
Shri Maurya stated that these initiatives are vital for ensuring long-term sustainability and success in the food processing domain.
UP’s Outstanding Performance Under PMFME:
The meeting revealed that Uttar Pradesh holds a strike rate of 99% in the PMFME scheme—compared to the national average of 56%—which means that nearly all approved loans were promptly followed by grant disbursal. The state has also recorded the fastest loan approval time of 101 days, ahead of Bihar (110 days) and Telangana (190 days).
Additionally, Uttar Pradesh witnessed a 14% increase in loan disbursement and spent ₹250 crore more in FY 2024–25 than the previous year. The upcoming budget for FY 2025–26 has seen a 56% increase, with allocations rising by ₹300 crore, reaffirming the state’s robust commitment to the sector.
Senior Officials Present:
The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Rural Development Vijay Lakshmi Gautam, Additional Chief Secretary of Rural Development Himanshu Kumar, Principal Secretary for Horticulture, Food Processing, and Silk Departments B.L. Meena, Commissioner of Rural Development G.S. Priyadarshi, CEO of UPRRDA Akhand Pratap Singh, Director of Rural Engineering Esham Singh, Director of Horticulture and Food Processing Vijay Bahadur Dwivedi, Additional Director of State Institute of Rural Development B.D. Chaudhary, and Joint Mission Director of the State Rural Livelihood Mission Janmejay Shukla, among others.
With this comprehensive plan and strong leadership, Uttar Pradesh is setting a national benchmark in transforming the micro food processing ecosystem.
