Union Minister reviews impact of PMFME, PMKSY and PLI initiatives, with focus on farmers, FPOs, women entrepreneurs, food processors and employment generation

Key Highlights:

• Chirag Paswan interacts directly with beneficiaries of PMFME, PMKSY and PLI schemes in Thane.
• Programme brings together farmers, FPO members, women beneficiaries, entrepreneurs and food-processing units.
• ‘Aashirwad Ka Diya’ symbolises opportunity, entrepreneurship and economic self-reliance.
• Government initiatives are supporting food-processing enterprises, value addition and employment generation.
• Maharashtra’s role in strengthening the food-processing ecosystem was highlighted.

Thane, September 17, 2026: The Ministry of Food Processing Industries organised the ‘Aashirwad Ka Diya’ programme at Niyojan Bhawan, District Collector’s Office, Thane, as part of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan–Seva Diwas initiative.

Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Chirag Paswan interacted with farmers, Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) members, women beneficiaries, entrepreneurs and representatives of food-processing units during the programme. The event focused on how government support is translating into stronger enterprises, employment opportunities and improved livelihoods.

Beneficiaries Share Impact of Food Processing Schemes

A key component of the programme was the Minister’s direct interaction with beneficiaries of the Ministry’s major initiatives, including the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME), Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Food Processing Industry.

Paswan listened to beneficiaries’ experiences and discussed how support under these programmes had contributed to strengthening their businesses and livelihoods. The interaction also covered employment generated through beneficiary-led projects.

The programme highlighted the growing role of entrepreneurs from both rural and urban areas in establishing food-processing businesses and developing products that contribute to the broader Brand Bharat ecosystem.

Food Processing Emerging as a Key Value-Addition Opportunity

The Ministry emphasised the growing potential of India’s food-processing sector, supported by the country’s diverse agricultural production base.

With increasing availability of agricultural raw materials, greater emphasis is being placed on processing, preservation and value addition. The government highlighted the importance of building an integrated value chain connecting farmers and FPOs with entrepreneurs, processors, industries and markets.

Such integration can help convert agricultural produce into higher-value products while creating opportunities for entrepreneurship and employment across the food-processing ecosystem.

‘Aashirwad Ka Diya’ Represents Entrepreneurship and Self-Reliance

The lighting of the ‘Aashirwad Ka Diya’ was the central feature of the event. The diya was presented as a symbol of hope, opportunity, confidence and self-reliance for beneficiaries.

The initiative also represented the interconnected nature of the food-processing ecosystem—from farmers supplying raw materials and FPOs providing collective strength to women entrepreneurs, food processors and industries contributing skills, technology, scale and market access.

Beneficiaries shared how government programmes had helped them expand their enterprises, generate employment and move towards greater economic independence.

Maharashtra’s Food Processing Ecosystem in Focus

The programme also recognised Maharashtra’s contribution to the implementation of food-processing initiatives and the participation of farmers, FPOs, women and entrepreneurs in the sector.

Paswan expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to engage with beneficiaries and stakeholders from the state.

The Seva Sankalp Abhiyan–Seva Diwas programme underlined the Ministry’s focus on ensuring that government-supported opportunities reach beneficiaries and translate into enterprise development, employment, value addition and improved livelihoods.

Impact on Hospitality, Food and Tourism

The expansion of India’s food-processing ecosystem has direct relevance for the hospitality, food service and tourism industries. Greater processing and value addition can increase the availability of packaged, preserved and ready-to-use food products for hotels, restaurants, catering businesses and institutional kitchens.

For hospitality businesses, a stronger network of FPOs, processors and food entrepreneurs can also support local sourcing and regional food products, potentially giving hotels and restaurants more opportunities to showcase Maharashtra’s and other regions’ agricultural and culinary identity.

For tourism, the development of food-processing enterprises can strengthen the connection between agriculture, local food experiences and destination tourism. Regional products and processed foods can contribute to food souvenirs, culinary tourism, hotel menus and destination-based food brands.

The emphasis on entrepreneurship and employment could further support the wider tourism and hospitality ecosystem, where food production, processing, accommodation, restaurants and local experiences increasingly operate as interconnected parts of the visitor economy.