Prayagraj leads UP in PMFME scheme implementation

Prayagraj: In a major achievement, Prayagraj has topped the list in Uttar Pradesh in providing financial assistance to entrepreneurs under the horticulture department's Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme.The scheme has proved to be a lifeline for small entrepreneurs .District horticulture officer (Prayagraj), Saurabh Srivastava, said that Prayagraj district received the highest amount of financial assistance in Uttar Pradesh, with 1,025 entrepreneurs receiving the aid.The district had a target of providing loans to 1,694 units. As of Feb 16, the department provided loans to a total of 1,025 units, while loans to 291 units were in the pipeline. Kaushambi and Fatehpur districts of Prayagraj division ranked among the top five. Kaushambi district ranked second, while Fatehpur district ranked fifth.Financial assistance was provided to 2,572 units in Prayagraj division. Of these, 547 were in Pratapgarh, 427 in Kaushambi, and 573 in Fatehpur.One of the beneficiary, Sandeep Kumar, a resident of Hathigawan in Prayagraj district, needed over Rs 35 lakh to produce high-quality mushrooms. The department provided him with financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh under the PMFME scheme.