BUDGAM: A daylong Farmers’ awareness camp under PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme (PM FME) was organized by Department of Animal Husbandry Budgam at Block Narbal.
The participants were briefed about the scope of Food Processing Industry in District Budgam and they were encouraged to get financial cover under the scheme, where handholding will be provided by the Department of Animal Husbandry Budgam.
Speaking on the occasion, the SDVH Budgam, Dr Javed Ahmed said that unemployed youth can set up their own Food Processing Units, like Milk Processing, Juice and Jam unit, Bread making unit, Tomato ketchup unit, along with poultry and Cattle feed unit, under PMFME scheme by availing facilities like 35% subsidy maximum up to 10 lakh and Easy Bank loan up to 90% of cost of Machinery and Technical Civil Works.
He also informed the participants about the assistance and hand-holding support provided by the Department to the interested applicants and the various training provided to help and guide them at each level.
Dr Javed spoke about the importance of registering food processing enterprises, branding and marketing aspects to enhance the salability of the food products.
Dr Zahoor Ahmed Sofi, Block Veterinary Officer Narbal threw light on poultry meat processing which includes addition of ingredients, and/or heat treatment to poultry meat to create a variety of value added products.
He informed participants about the major product forms which can be made from poultry meat including designed poultry meat, patties (breaded or roasted), nuggets, tenders, fillets, wings, drums, and thighs, prepared and either par-fried (partially cooked in oil for less than a minute) or cooked in many different possible forms.
Bashir Ahmed, Marketing officer Department of Horticulture (Planning & Marketing) briefed about the marketing and branding of processed food products as an important intervention for sustainable development of the food industry.
Officers from different allied departments like Horticulture, Agriculture and Sheep Husbandry also participated. The camp witnessed huge participation of unemployed educated youth and other farmer groups and many farmers showed their interest to establish micro food processing units under the PMFME Scheme.

KR Desk