Farmers should take advantage of the Prime Minister's Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme to add value to agricultural produce and enhance their income, Koppal MP K. Rajasekhar Basavaraj Hitnal has said.

He was speaking after inaugurating an awareness programme on the PMFME scheme at the auditorium of the District Administration building on Thursday. The event was jointly organised by the District Administration, Zilla Panchayat, KAPEC Ltd. Bengaluru, ATMA, Department of Agriculture, and the Institute of Agricultural Technologists.

"Farmers are the backbone of the nation, but often they get low returns for their crops. Companies buy their produce, rebrand it, and earn huge profits. Instead, farmers themselves should process, brand, and market their produce to reap direct benefits. Under the PMFME scheme, they can avail loans up to ₹30 lakh and subsidies up to ₹15 lakh from the Centre and the State. I urge farmers to make the best use of this support and increase their income," Mr. Hitnal said.

He directed Lead Bank officials to expedite loan sanctioning under the scheme and asked agricultural officers to intensify awareness campaigns. "Through micro food processing enterprises, farmers can not only increase their earnings but also generate employment for others," he added.

Deputy Commissioner Suresh B. Itnal stressed the importance of value addition for farmers' prosperity. "Though ours is an agriculture-based country, farmers often fail to get fair prices for their crops. If they process and brand their produce, they will get better returns. Koppal district has great potential in horticulture and minor millets. Already, 178 beneficiaries have availed of the scheme in the district, and it must be expanded to at least 300 in the coming months," he said, calling for training programmes on branding and marketing.

Joint Director of Agriculture T.S. Rudreshappa said that, under the PMFME scheme, beneficiaries receive 35% subsidy from the Centre and 15% from the State. "So far, 178 beneficiaries in the district have set up units and become successful entrepreneurs. There is great potential in pulses, oilseeds, and horticultural crops for value addition under this scheme," he noted.

Aravind K., team leader of PMFME, delivered a special lecture on the scheme's benefits. On the occasion, sanction letters were symbolically distributed to beneficiaries, successful entrepreneurs under the scheme were felicitated, and pamphlets and branding models of local food products were released.

Koppal Urban Development Authority Chairman K. Srinivas Gupta, District Guarantee Schemes Implementation Authority President Reddy Srinivas, Zilla Panchayat CEO Varnit Negi, senior agricultural scientists and officers, representatives of self-help groups, and farmers were present.

Later, officials inspected stalls displaying branded local food products as part of the agricultural produce exhibition-cum-sale.

Farmers urged to make use of PMFME scheme to boost income