Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries on 24th August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) organized the two-day PMFME Conclave 2026 on August 24–25, 2026, at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. Inaugurated by Shri Chirag Paswan, the event focused on strengthening the micro food processing ecosystem by enhancing access to finance, technology, and markets. Key outcomes included the signing of three strategic MoUs and the launch of new technical and promotional resources to support grassroots entrepreneurs.
Key Points / Main Content
Inauguration of PMFME Bazaar:
Features exhibitors from 25 States and Union Territories showcasing unique, ethnic, and traditional food products.
Serves as a national platform for micro-enterprises, Self Help Groups (SHGs), and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) to connect with buyers and explore institutional procurement.
Highlights the transformation of local raw materials into market-ready products through better branding, packaging, and quality standards.
Strategic Partnerships and Publications:
Three MoUs were signed with APEDA, ONDC, and NABKISAN to strengthen market linkages, promote digital commerce, and create export opportunities.
Launch of a Coffee Table Book featuring 30 success stories of PMFME beneficiaries to showcase entrepreneurial journeys.
Release of ‘FoodNova’, a quarterly magazine covering innovations, success stories, and emerging trends in the food processing sector.
Policy and Technical Focus:
The Minister emphasized the transition toward "PMFME 2.0" to address the evolving needs of micro-enterprises beyond financial assistance.
Four thematic technical sessions were held covering finance and sustainability, incubation and entrepreneurship, domestic and global market linkages, and SHG-led enterprise support.
The program facilitates knowledge sharing and convergence among over 500 stakeholders to build a globally competitive micro food processing sector.
Impact Analysis
Stakeholder: Micro Food Processing Enterprises (SHGs, FPOs, Cooperatives, and Individual Entrepreneurs)Impact
They gain visibility beyond local markets, access to digital commerce platforms, and technical support to transform local products into competitive national and global brands.
Action Required
Beneficiaries should leverage the new market linkages provided by ONDC and APEDA and adopt improved branding and packaging standards as outlined in the conclave.
Stakeholder: Financial and Trade Institutions (Banks, APEDA, ONDC, NABKISAN)Impact
These organizations are now integrated into a collaborative roadmap to provide credit, digital trade infrastructure, and export facilitation specifically for the micro-sector.
Action Required
Implement the provisions of the signed MoUs to facilitate wider market access and financial support for PMFME beneficiaries.
Stakeholder: Government and Nodal Agencies (MoFPI, State/District Nodal Officers, and Resource Persons)Impact
Responsible for shifting the focus from simple production to a comprehensive support system involving technology, quality control, and capacity building.
Action Required
Coordinate the implementation of "PMFME 2.0" and ensure effective knowledge sharing and convergence at the grassroots level.
Key Entities Referenced
PMFME Scheme: A central initiative focused on the formalization of micro food processing enterprises through financial, technical, and business support.
Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI): The nodal ministry responsible for implementing the PMFME scheme and organizing the PMFME Conclave 2026.
Chirag Paswan: The Union Minister of Food Processing Industries who inaugurated the PMFME Bazaar and Conclave.
PMFME 2.0: A proposed stronger and more comprehensive version of the existing scheme intended to address the evolving needs of the sector.
ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce): An entity that signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry to facilitate digital market access for micro food processing enterprises.
Ministry of Food Processing Industries
Chirag Paswan inaugurates PMFME Bazaar
showcasing India’s Diverse Micro Food
Enterprises
Posted On: 24 AUG 2026 9:08PM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) is organising the PMFME Conclave 2026 on 24–25
August 2026 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, bringing together over 500 stakeholders to deliberate on
strengthening the micro food processing ecosystem and enhancing access to finance, technology and
markets.
The Conclave was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Minister of Food Processing Industries, Shri Chirag
Paswan, who also inaugurated the PMFME Bazaar, a major attraction of the two-day event. The Bazaar
features exhibitors from 25 States and Union Territories, showcasing a wide range of unique, ethnic and
traditional food products representing India’s rich culinary and cultural diversity.
During his visit to the Bazaar, the Hon’ble Minister interacted with PMFME beneficiaries and exhibitors,
explored their products and appreciated their entrepreneurial journeys. The exhibition provides a platform
for micro food processing enterprises, Self Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs),
cooperatives and individual entrepreneurs to showcase their products, connect with buyers and explore
new market opportunities.The PMFME Bazaar brings together an impressive range of region-specific and traditional food products,
including processed foods, millet-based products, spices, pickles, snacks, beverages and other value-added
products. The exhibition highlights how local raw materials, traditional knowledge and grassroots
entrepreneurship are being transformed into market-ready food products through support under the
PMFME Scheme.
The Bazaar also serves as a platform for beneficiaries to gain visibility beyond their local markets and
explore opportunities in institutional procurement, modern retail, digital commerce and export markets. It
reflects the Ministry’s emphasis on moving micro enterprises from production at the local level towards
stronger branding, packaging, quality, market access and commercial sustainability.The two-day Conclave brings together representatives from all States and Union Territories, District Nodal
Officers, District Resource Persons, banks and financial institutions, Ministries and Government
organisations, technical institutions, industry bodies, incubation centres and PMFME beneficiaries. The
programme provides a platform for knowledge sharing, convergence and exchange of successful
experiences.
The inaugural session featured a welcome address by Shri Devesh Deval, Joint Secretary, MoFPI,
followed by an address by Shri Avinash Joshi, Secretary, MoFPI. The programme also included felicitation
of dignitaries, lamp lighting and screening of a short film on PMFME.
In his brief address, the Hon’ble Minister highlighted the importance of strengthening the micro food
processing ecosystem and ensuring that entrepreneurs receive support not only through financial
assistance but also in areas such as technology, capacity building, quality, branding and market access. He
emphasised the need for a stronger and more comprehensive PMFME 2.0 to respond to the evolving needs
of micro food processing enterprises.
A key highlight of the inaugural programme was the launch of a Coffee Table Book featuring 30 success
stories of PMFME beneficiaries, showcasing entrepreneurial journeys from different parts of the country.
The event also witnessed the launch of ‘FoodNova’, the Ministry’s quarterly magazine featuring
developments, innovations, success stories and emerging trends in the food processing sector.
Three MoUs were also signed with APEDA, ONDC and NABKISAN to strengthen market and
institutional linkages for PMFME beneficiaries. The partnerships aim to facilitate wider market access,
promote digital commerce and create opportunities for micro food processing enterprises in domestic and
export markets.The first day of the Conclave features four thematic technical sessions covering access to finance and
sustainability; incubation and entrepreneurship; domestic and global market linkages; and strengthening
SHG-led food enterprises through clusters and institutional support.
The PMFME Bazaar remains a central feature of the Conclave, providing a national showcase for the
creativity, diversity and commercial potential of India’s micro food processing enterprises. It reflects the
Ministry’s commitment to creating stronger market linkages and enabling grassroots entrepreneurs to
transform local products into competitive brands with wider domestic and global reach.
The PMFME Conclave 2026 thus brings together policy, finance, technology, entrepreneurship and
markets on a common platform, while celebrating the achievements of micro food entrepreneurs and
creating a collaborative roadmap for building a stronger, market-oriented and globally competitive micro
food processing sector.
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CMC – Media
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