Makhana and litchi help Bihar pip larger states in food processing scheme sops
New Delhi: Bihar has emerged as the top beneficiary of the Centre’s Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme, with processing clusters
New Delhi: Bihar has emerged as the top beneficiary of the Centre’s Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme, with processing clusters built around local specialties such as foxnut (makhana) and litchi giving a fillip. Since the scheme's launch in FY21, 31,735 enterprises in Bihar have received support under the programme—the highest in the country—ahead of larger states Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh, according to a senior official in the food processing ministry. The scheme has seen maximum participation in sectors linked to grain processing, oil and oilseeds and fruits and vegetables processing, which account for the bulk of activities undertaken by the beneficiaries, official data shows. According to government data as on 22 May, reviewed by Mint, Bihar was followed by Maharashtra (30,773), Uttar Pradesh (25,474), Tamil Nadu (19,133) and Madhya Pradesh (15,699) since the inception of the scheme. Also Read | Made in Bihar: How superfood makhana works its magic Among India's states, Bihar is ranked the lowest in terms of per capita income. In FY25, the state's per capita income was estimated at ₹76,490, while the all-India figure was ₹2,05,324, data from the state budget and the Centre's economic survey for FY26 showed.
"Bihar’s proactive approach in facilitating enterprise creation, and encouraging local food processing activities has helped the state to secure the top position under the scheme," said Devesh Deval, joint secretary in the food processing industries ministry Top-performing district Data shows that Patna emerged as the top-performing district in the state, with 2,594 enterprises supported under PMFME, followed by Samastipur (1,612), Muzaffarpur (1,556), Bhagalpur (1,282) and Vaishali (1,272). “The scheme is increasingly being shaped by district-specific food processing clusters, with projects aligned to locally-available produce and traditional agri-based strengths,” said a senior official in the industry department of Bihar. "Foxnut (makhana) processing has emerged as a major focus area in districts such as Darbhanga, Madhubani, Saharsa, Supaul and Katihar, while litchi-based processing projects are concentrated in Muzaffarpur, East Champaran and Sitamarhi." Similarly, cereal or grain-focused enterprises and pickle manufacturing are also gaining traction. The PMFME is implemented in Bihar with the department of industries as the nodal agency to facilitate credit-linked subsidies, skill development, and formalization for local food entrepreneurs. Also Read | China turns to India for oil meal to feed livestock, exports jump 25x Nationwide, 196,270 micro food processing enterprises have been supported under the scheme through credit-linked subsidies amounting to ₹5,800 crore against a total project cost of ₹19,844 crore as of 22 May.
The BriefWire