Kodagu’s Food Processing Sector Holds Vast Potential: KAPPEC MD

Speedy Summary:

• Event: Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Venkat Raja inaugurated an awareness program on the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme in madikeri.
• Focus Areas:

– Encouragement for setting up small-scale food processing industries with a 50% subsidy under the PMFME scheme as part of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
– emphasis on branding,market linkages,and support for women entrepreneurs to enhance economic growth and employment in Kodagu district.

• Exhibition Highlights: Showcased bakery items, coffee products, mushrooms, spices, millet-based goods, chapatis, and other locally-produced items.
• expert Input:

– Shivaprakash (KAPPEC MD): Identified immense potential for Kodagu’s food processing industries such as coffee, pepper, cardamom, cocoa. Suggested applying for GI tags for unique local products.Subsidy up to ₹15 lakh available per project.
– B.S.Chandrashekar (Joint Director of Agriculture): Reported that loans worth ₹15.2 crore were sanctioned benefiting 89 entrepreneurs since the launch in 2020-21; only seven applications were rejected out of 160 filed from Kodagu district.

• Budget Update (2025-26): Chief Minister Siddaramaiah allocated ₹206 crore to establish 5,000 small units; Kodagu given a target of creating 75 units.
• Other dignitaries like CFTRI representatives and NABARD advisors gave insights into value addition and market expansion opportunities.

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