The Uttar Pradesh government has launched an online portal to facilitate entrepreneurs in registering for the establishment of Millets Processing, Packing, and Marketing Centres. This digital platform streamlines the application process by enabling online submission of necessary details, documents, and proposals, thereby promoting millet-based enterprises under government initiatives. The initiative aims to add value to millet production, enhance market development, and ultimately increase farmers' incomes by creating processing and marketing opportunities. The Uttar Pradesh Millets Revival Programme, approved in 2023, complements this effort by focusing on millet production, processing, and consumption across all 75 districts, with a budget allocation of ₹186.26 crore until 2026-27. The program supports traditional millet cultivation, improves farming techniques through collaboration with agricultural universities, and provides financial and technical assistance to startups and small businesses in the millet sector. It also aims to connect millet farmers with food processing industries and retail chains to ensure better price realization and market access. The initiative is part of a broader national push, including schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM-FME), which allocates significant funding to support millet processing units and incubation centers across India. These efforts collectively seek to strengthen the millet value chain, promote nutritional security, and position Uttar Pradesh as a key player in millet exports by improving quality standards and branding. The portal and associated programs reflect a strategic approach to reviving millet cultivation, enhancing rural livelihoods, and fostering innovation and employment in the agro-processing sector.
Why it matters:
- Promotes sustainable millet-based agriculture and rural livelihoods
- Enhances farmers' income through value addition and market access
Key Points
- Online portal enables easy registration for millet processing and marketing centers in Uttar Pradesh
- Uttar Pradesh Millets Revival Programme supports production, processing, and consumption with ₹186.26 crore funding
- Collaboration with agricultural universities to improve millet varieties and farming techniques
- Financial and technical support provided to startups and small businesses in millet sector
- Part of national schemes like PM-FME promoting millet processing units and incubation centers
- Aims to improve millet quality, branding, and export potential
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