PMFME Awareness Programme Held at BAC, Daramdin, Soreng District
Daramdin, 17/09/2026: An awareness programme on the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme was organised today at the Block Administrative Centre (BAC), Daramdin, SorengDistrict, with the objective of creating greater awareness among local entrepreneurs, Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and prospective food processing beneficiaries about the opportunities and support available under the scheme.
The programme was graced by the Block Development Officer Mrs. Anushiya Pradhan as the Chief Guest, along withPanchayat Members. The programme had the presence of SHG and local progressive entrepreneurs.
Around 100 individuals, comprising of SHGs, FPOs, Cooperative Societies and prospective entrepreneurs participated in the programme, reflecting the strong interest among local communities in food processing and value-addition activities.
The programme featured detailed presentations on various Schemes of the Department of Food Processing Industries, Government of Sikkim.
Speaking on the PMFME & PMKSY Scheme, Mr. Chanzay Bhutia, SLPM,Department of Food Processing Industries explained how the scheme can provide financial assistance capacity building and marketing support to the micro-food processing enterprises thereby enhancing income opportunities and creating sustainable livelihoods.
Mr. Navin Sharma, District Coordinator, Soreng & Gyalshing, DoFPI spoke extensively on Processing & Value Addition, highlighting the importance of Processing and Value addition, product quality, consumer confidence, market acceptance. He emphasised that Value addition increased the economic value, quality, convenience, shelf life and marketability of the processed food products.
Mr. Chinlop Lepcha, District Coordinator, DoFPI spoke expansively on the importance of Packaging&Labelling for the processed food products. He also highlighted FSSAI compliance which needs to be strictly followed by the local enterprises.
Mr. Malay Kumar Biswas, LDM, SBI, Soreng District-explained key topics for the session regarding bank finance, loan application process, documents required, government scheme convergence and credit discipline.
Mr. Aashish Gurung, Credit outreach and facilitation unit(COFU) Senior officer, spoke extensively on financial literacy, credit linked support and other handholding supports to progressive entrepreneurs.
A key feature of the programme was its focus on the end-to-end support available under the PMFMEScheme. Participants were made aware that assistance extends beyond financial support and includes handholding at various stages—from online filling of applications and uploading of required documents to processing, value addition, packaging, branding, marketing and market linkage.
The mobilisation and the overall groundwork for the programme were carried by Mrs. Anushiya Pradhan Block Development Officer BAC, Daramdin and Mr. Janam Thapa Block Programming Manager, SRLM, BAC, Daramdin.
The programme provided an important platform for interaction between the implementing agencies, financial institutions and local community members. It helped participants gain a clearer understanding of the PMFME Scheme and the opportunities available to them for establishing or strengthening formal food processing enterprises.
The programme concluded on a positive note, as the participants keenly watched the success story videos and the prospect that the scheme held in the long run.
The successful conduct of the programme reaffirmed the importance of continued awareness generation, mobilisation and handholding at the grassroots level to ensure that the benefits of the Govt. Scheme reach prospective entrepreneurs across Sikkim.
