Karnataka’s Agriculture Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy announced that nearly 6,000 food processing units will be established across the state. Under the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme, entrepreneurs can receive financial support of up to ₹15 lakh with ₹9 lakh from the State government and ₹6 lakh from the Central government as subsidy.
The Minister made this announcement during an awareness workshop on the PMFME Scheme, which was uniquely inaugurated by extracting oil using a traditional oil press at Cauvery Hall, Zilla Panchayat, Mandya. The event was jointly organised by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, Karnataka State Agricultural Produce Processing and Export Corporation Limited, Mandya District Administration, Zilla Panchayat, and the Department of Agriculture.
Opportunities for Farmers and Youth
Highlighting the potential of food processing, Mr. Cheluvarayaswamy said that a person can earn between ₹50,000 and ₹1,00,000 per month if they effectively use government schemes. He encouraged young farmers to adopt food processing technologies and become job creators instead of job seekers. He further stated that Mandya district stands second in the state for providing loans and subsidies for food processing industries. Integrated farming, even on a small plot of land, can increase yield while reducing costs when guided by farm scientists and experts.
Value Addition for Better Income
Mandya Zilla Panchayat CEO K.R. Nandini said that despite being an agriculture-based district, farmer incomes are not satisfactory. She suggested diversifying crops based on soil and climate to improve earnings. Avocados, for instance, grow well in the district and have strong demand in export markets. She stressed that value addition to agricultural produce, especially with the growing demand for ready-made foods, can bring higher returns. Setting up food processing industries will not only improve farmer income but also create new job opportunities.
Leaders and Officials Present
The event was attended by MLA of Shrirangapattana Ramesh Bandisidde Gowda, Karnataka State Agricultural Produce Processing and Export Corporation Limited Managing Director C.N. Shivaprakash, MySugar chairman C.D. Gangadhar, Deputy Commissioner Kumar, State Agriculture Society president Manjunath Gowda, and several other dignitaries.
Date: 28 Jul to 1 Aug 2025 (5 Days)
Time: 7 PM to 10 PM
Fee: Rs. 3000
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