Vocal for Local: FM Sitharaman announces Rs 10,000 crore for Micro Food Enterprises

Vocal for Local: Announcing third tranche of Rs 20 lakh crore stimulus package, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a Rs 10,000 crore package for the Micro Food Enterprises (MFEs). This move of the Government of India will provide safety to around 2 lakh MFEs in India. FM Sitharaman said that the move has been taken to ensure that the 'Vocal for Local' slogan, coined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address to the nation while announcing Rs 20 lakh crore stimulus package, gets a strong boost.

Aiming to make India an "Aatmanirbhar; nation Nirmala Sitharaman said, "Aiming to implement PM's vision of ‘Vocal for Local with Global outreach’, a scheme will be launched to help 2 lakh Micro Food Enterprises (MFEs); Improved health and safety standards, integration with retail markets and improved incomes to be key focus areas."

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Sitharaman said that unorganised MFEs need technical up-gradation to attain FSSAI food standards, build brands and marketing. This move will help MFEs, farmer producer organisation, self help group and co-operatives active in the sector. She said that the move will be implemented on cluster-based approach like mango in UP, Makhana in Bihar, Kesar in J&K, Bamboo shoots in north-east India, Chilli in Andhra Pradesh and Tapioca in Tamil Nadu.

See PIB tweet below:

Aiming to implement PM's vision of ‘Vocal for Local with Global outreach’, a scheme will be launched to help 2 lakh Micro Food Enterprises; Improved health and safety standards, integration with retail markets and improved incomes to be key focus areas#AatmaNirbharDesh pic.twitter.com/nnuXlJdPyp

— PIB India #StayHome #StaySafe (@PIB_India) May 15, 2020

Speaking on the expected outcome of this Rs 10,000 package Sitharaman said that it will improve the health and safety standards , integration with retail markets and improved income for the MFEs. Expecting to tap the untapped export market existing in the MFEs sector Sitharaman went on to add that the move will help in reaching out to un tapped export marketsin view of the improved health conciousness.