Women Entrepreneurs Represent 44% of PMFME Loan Recipients

The PMFME programme has emerged as a catalyst for gender‑inclusive entrepreneurship. Government data show that women entrepreneurs account for 44 percent of the more than two lakh micro‑food processing businesses that have secured loans.

Minister Chirag Paswan described this proportion as evidence of "the true spirit of women‑led development" and a foundational element for a progressive India. Training records indicate that out of 176,000 beneficiaries who have undergone skill‑building sessions, 77 percent were women.

These women‑led units are engaged in a variety of product categories, including millets, poppy seeds, spices and other geographically‑indicated (GI‑tag) items. By integrating into formal supply chains through registrations like GST and FSSAI, they are better positioned to access larger markets and secure higher margins.

The success story underscores the scheme’s role in empowering women at the grassroots level, fostering inclusive growth, and diversifying the nation’s food processing landscape.