Source: NABARD
Date & Place: October 16, 2025; Methagal, Koppal District, Karnataka
Key Highlights:
- Inauguration & Purpose:
- Union FM Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated a Farmers’ Training cum Common Facility Centre for Agro-Processing.
- Aim: Empower farmers and agro-entrepreneurs by providing training, processing, and storage facilities.
- Central Schemes for Farmers:
- Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM FME): Supports small-scale food processors.
- Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana: Enhances farmer incomes through crop-focused support.
- PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-KISAN): Provides ₹6,000/year in three installments to 43 lakh farmers in Karnataka via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
- Budget & Funding:
- ₹24,000 crore allocation for PM FME in 2025-26.
- Since 2020, ₹3,700 crore distributed to states for farmer loans and support, generating over 1 lakh agriculture entrepreneurs.
- The Koppal centre was partly funded through MPLAD funds and NABARD support.
- GST Reforms for Agriculture:
- Reduction of taxes on farm equipment, tractors, solar power, and machinery to 5%.
- GST cut on bio-pesticides, micronutrients, and bio-fertilisers to reduce input costs.
- Centre’s Facility Capacity & Certification:
- Facility can process 840 tonnes of mangoes and 600 tonnes of papaya.
- All products will be certified by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
- Significance:
- Boosts agripreneurship, value addition, and storage infrastructure for farmers.
- Promotes profitability, skill development, and formalization of micro food processing units in Karnataka.
