Barmer, Dec. 13 -- Only six micro food processing units in the state have received branding and marketing assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme in the last three years. The information was revealed in the Lok Sabha in response to a question raised by MP Rahul Kaswan. Minister of state for food processing industries Ravneet Singh informed the house that the six units-all located in Kota district and primarily involved in spice production-were the only beneficiaries of the branding and marketing component of the PMFME scheme in Rajasthan. The assistance was extended through the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED). The PMFME scheme, launched to formalise India's vast unorganised micro food processing sector, offers credit-linked capital subsidies, seed capital support for self-help groups, common infrastructure funding, and grants of up to 50% for branding and marketing. Under the One District One Product (ODOP) approach, the Ministry has identified specialised products for all 33 districts. Officials say ODOP-based units are given preference. However, with only six units benefiting in three years, industry observers argue that a stronger push may be needed to ensure wider reach among traditional food producers. htc...