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The Food Processing Sector Gets an Celebrating Inclusivity

Entrepreneurial Curve ...International Women's Day

... Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food International Women's Day was observed with great fervour at EDII campus. The event
Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme focused on panel discussions around women empowerment, their advancing roles in
society and emergence of well-known women entrepreneurs. The distinguished speakers in
the panel included Ms. Anar Patel, Founder & Director, Craftroots and Gramshree Trust, and
India's food processing industry is growing rapidly and plays a crucial role in the nation's Ms. Priyanshi Patel, Founder - Olixir Oils, Founder & Managing Trustee - Karma Foundation.
economic development. This sector holds immense potential to increase export earnings
while also boosting domestic growth. To promote the growth of food processing industry, in Through a series of questions and answers, Ms. Anar
2020, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Govt. of India launched the Patel, Founder & Director, Craftroots and Gramshree
Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme Trust emphasized how we as a society need to support
under Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. The scheme is designed to address the challenges women in breaking social barriers and handhold them in
faced by micro-enterprises and tap the potential of groups and cooperatives in supporting
donning the role of enablers. “Women getting stronger
the upgradation and formalization of these enterprises. EDII has been actively working representation in the mainstream will lead to a
across all districts of Gujarat, implementing all components of the scheme.
significant growth for the economy. A conducive support
system that instils confidence in women and encourages
them to rise above the fear of failure will also work
wonders on helping women rise and shine,” Ms. Patel
said making a strong point.

Speaking on the general mindset of women as they step
into the outside world, Ms. Priyanshi Patel, Founder -
Olixir Oils, Founder & Managing Trustee - Karma
Foundation, said, “Women do step out with big dreams
but as they progress towards the top, their participation
and representation decreases glaringly. Women should
refrain from creating an invisible glass ceiling of
contentment; instead they must strive to rise,
continuously.” She also emphasized on how the society
also needs to stop stereotyping women and give them a
warmer welcome for bigger, unconventional roles.

Opining, Dr. Sunil Shukla said, “There has been a growing awareness about
raising the social and economic status of women in society with increased
In the past two months, large-scale promotional events for the Pradhan Mantri focus on education, training and skill development. We want more and
Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme were successfully more women to come to the fore and break stereotypes and barriers that
held across 17 locations across Gujarat. The events aimed to increase awareness about the hinder growth. We all want to witness an inclusive and equitable society. We
PMFME scheme, which provides financial assistance, technical support, and capacity- need to make space for women who have for long been subjugated to
building to formalize and strengthen micro food processing enterprises. In total, more than stereotypes and highly typical roles. We can achieve this by encouraging
550 participants attended the programme, including aspiring entrepreneurs, existing food women to become economically independent, focus on networking and
processors, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). avoid crumbling under peer pressure.”

This initiative has played a crucial role in empowering local entrepreneurs, promoting The event enthused great interest in the audience with discussions centering
sustainable business practices, and fostering the growth of Gujarat's food processing sector. around the ups and downs of an entrepreneurial journey for women and the
ways and means that can be implemented to ensure their success.

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