Convergence Portal of the MoFPI

Convergence Portal of the MoFPI
Source: PIB
GS II: Policies and Developmental Studies; GS III: Food and Agriculture

What is discussed under the Convergence Portal of the MoFPI?

As part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries launched a convergence module between the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) scheme of the Ministry ofAgriculture and Farmers Welfare, Pradhan Mantri Micro Food Enterprises Upgradation Scheme (PMFME) and Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY).

The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) scheme, the Pradhan Mantri Micro Food Enterprises Upgradation Scheme (PMFME), and the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) are all combined on the convergence portal.
To maximise the benefits of these three schemes, a standard operating procedure (SOP) was also developed.
It strives to promote the idea of ‘Vocal for Local’.
The convergence site seeks to enable effective coordination across all ministries and agencies, improve access to these programmes, and have a beneficial impact on farmers and small-scale food processing companies.

The portal will be beneficial to the country’s Food Processing Enterprises, as well as to many sectors of the country, including farmers and small-scale entrepreneurs in the processing industry.
Image by Daniel Kirsch from Pixabay
Through this portal, qualified beneficiaries under the PMFME and PMKSY Schemes who get credit-linked subsidies will be able to receive an additional benefit of Interest Subvention at the rate of 3% on the interest rate charged by banks in addition to the 35% subsidy granted under the PMFME Scheme.
The AIF MIS portal has been upgraded to accept applications from beneficiaries for the convenience of approval of projects under the PMFME and PMKSY schemes.
Beneficiaries of the PMFME programme will be able to apply directly for the benefit of Interest Subvention on the AIF portal using the PMFME-approved DPR.
AIF beneficiaries who are entitled to an extra subsidy under the PMFME Scheme can apply at the PMFME MIS portal with the sanction letter under AIF and DPR.

It is a central government-sponsored scheme that provides financial support in the amount of Rs.1 lakh crore for funding agriculture infrastructure projects at farm-gate and aggregation points such as:
- Farmers producers organisations
- Primary agricultural cooperatives
- Startups
- Entrepreneurs in the agriculture sector
Through interest subvention and credit guarantee, the scheme provides medium to long-term debt financing for investment in feasible projects for post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets.
It is aimed at constructing processing and storage facilities.
Also assisting farmers, FPOs, and others in the development of post-harvest agriculture infrastructure and community farming assets.
The programme was supposed to last 10 years, from 2020 to 2029.
However, it has been extended for three years, till 2032-33.
Banks and financial organisations participate in the plan by making loans with a 3% annual interest rate.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, NABARD is piloting this programme.
The beneficiaries of the scheme are:
Primary Agricultural Credit Society (PACS)
FPOs
Marketing Cooperative Societies
Joint Liability Groups (JLG)
Self-Help Groups
Multipurpose Cooperative Societies
Startups
Agri entrepreneurs
Central/State agency or Local Body sponsored Public-Private Partnership Projects

Pradhan Mantri Micro Food Enterprises Upgradation Scheme (PMFME)

The PMFME Scheme was established to give financial, technical, and commercial assistance to micro food processing firms throughout India.
It will be put in place from 2020-21 to 2024-25.
This programme would cost a total of Rs.10,000 crore.
It employs the One District One Product (ODOP) strategy to improve procurement, provides shared services, and promote products.

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY)

The PMKSY is a federally funded programme designed to enhance supply chain management from farm to retail outlet.
It intends to establish mega food parks, strengthen cold chain and value addition infrastructure, food safety and quality assurance infrastructure, agro-processing clusters, and other initiatives.

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