PMFME awareness camp organised at Arnas

REASI : In continuation to series of public outreach programs being held in the Reasi District, an awareness programme was today organised in Block Arnas to educate the farmers and youth of the area regarding benefits of PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME-ODOP) Scheme.

The camp was inaugurated by Chief Agriculture Officer/District Nodal officer PMFME, Reasi, Harbans Singh.

District Agriculture officer, Rajesh Verma; ASCO, Varinder Dogra; SDAO, Dharmari, Rupinder Singh Bedi; SMS, Vikas Sharma; AEO, Anil Thakur, Concerned JAEOs and field functionaries besides representatives of allied departments, PRI members, SHG members, farmers including women & youth attended the program.

District Nodal officer discussed in detail all the facets of the scheme  and enjoined upon the youth to set up micro food processing units of Mustard Chutney, Chili powder packing & marketing, spices grinding, garlic paste etc.

The District Agriculture officer elaborated the eligibility and terms of subsidy, interest and other related details of the scheme.  DRP, Liaqat Ali also addressed the farmers and elaborated the steps involved in the process for availing  the benefits of the scheme and encouraged the youth of the far flung area of the District to come forward for the same.

Pertinently, the PM FME is aimed at establishing Micro Food Processing Industries at Micro/Village level through individuals, Self Help Groups (SHGs), Cooperatives and Farmers Producers Organizations (FPOs). Under the programme, 35 per cent subsidy/capital support with a ceiling of Rs 10 lakh is being provided to the beneficiaries.

Sarpanch, Kanthan, Sansar Singh lauded the efforts of the agriculture department in mitigating the problems of the farming community in remote and hilly areas.