Vijayawada: The AP Food Processing Society (APFPS) signed three groundbreaking MoUs on Thursday aimed at accelerating the establishment and formalization of micro-food processing enterprises in the state.
Principal Secretary to Government (food processing, agriculture & cooperation) Chiranjiv Choudhary, said these strategic partnerships would play a pivotal role in empowering local communities, enhancing agricultural value chains and promoting sustainable economic development.
Under the MoU with Andhra Pragathi Grameena Bank (APGB), the APFPS is also joining hands with the largest Regional Rural Bank (RRB) in Andhra Pradesh that has an extensive presence in Rayalaseema, Nellore and Prakasam districts.
Under this agreement, APGB will provide collateral-free credit of up to Rs10 lakh to beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) programme, for the establishment of solar dehydration units.
This initiative aims to support 5000 solar dehydration units within APGB business districts by the end of March 2023.
The second MoU was with Raheja Solar Food Processing Pvt Ltd (RSFPL), a technology company based in Indore specialising in solar dehydration equipment. RSFPL will offer these technologies to beneficiaries with a buy-back guarantee, creating new livelihood opportunities through solar dehydration-based microfood processing units in AP.
This initiative empowers farmers to choose between distressed sale of low-valued produce or adding value by converting them into dehydrated products. The goal is to establish 2000 solar dehydration units during the fiscal year 2023-24, with APFPS overseeing project implementation.
The third MoU was with Damodaram Sanjeevaiah National Law University (DSNLU). The two would jointly provide critical support for micro-food processing enterprises. This partnership focuses on obtaining trademark protection for their brands and formalizing these units.
Additionally, APFPS and DSNLU will work towards securing Geographical Indication (GI) registration for traditional food clusters in AP, preserving and promoting the state's rich culinary heritage.
Chiranjiv Choudary stated that these MoUs represented a significant stride towards the growth and formalization of micro-food processing enterprises in AP, aligning with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's PMFME programme.
CEO Sreedhar Reddy of the APFPS, Subhash, state leader, PMFME, Srinath Reddy, manager, PMFME, Rakesh Kashyap (chairman, APGB), PR Padgetwar (GM, APGB), Jogi Naidu (registrar, Damodaram Sanjeevaiah National Law University) and Saurabh, VP (Raheja solar food processing Pvt Ltd) participated in the programme.
