In the heart of Bihar’s Sheikhpura district, a quiet revolution is underway, powered by the Central government’s Pradhan Mantri Micro Food Processing Enterprise (PMFME) scheme. This initiative, aimed at formalizing and empowering micro food processing units, is breathing new life into rural economies, turning ordinary villagers into self-reliant entrepreneurs.
Take Bahadur Ravidas from Pachna village in Sheikhpura block. For years, steady employment eluded him in his village. Days often ended with empty pockets, pushing him to migrate to Punjab in search of better prospects. There, he spent 17 years honing his skills in a bakery, mastering every nuance of the trade. Armed with this expertise, he returned home and discovered the PMFME scheme through the industry department.
With a loan sanctioned under the program, Bahadur set up his own bakery right in his village. Today, his thriving business not only sustains his family but also employs two others, fostering local job creation. ‘The scheme changed everything,’ he says gratefully, thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for empowering the poor. He urges young people to seize similar opportunities.
Not far behind is Sube Saw, another Sheikhpura resident whose story mirrors Bahadur’s. Previously scraping by on odd jobs with meager profits, Sube learned about PMFME and applied for a loan. He launched his bakery, which is now steadily growing. Providing jobs to others, he notes a dramatic improvement in his financial status. ‘This scheme made me self-reliant,’ he affirms, crediting the government.
The food processing ministry’s flagship program is proving its mettle across rural and urban Sheikhpura, generating employment, boosting self-respect, and driving economic empowerment. By supporting small entrepreneurs, PMFME is laying the foundation for a robust, organized food processing sector in India, one bakery at a time.