On 28 June 2026 Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Chirag Paswan inaugurated the MoFPI‑supported Common Incubation Center at the College of Food Technology, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth (VNMKV), Parbhani under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
Key facts
- Date & location: 28 June 2026; College of Food Technology, VNMKV, Parbhani, Maharashtra.
- Funding & partners: Financial assistance from Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) in collaboration with VNMKV and the State‑Level Nodal Agency, Agriculture Department, Government of Maharashtra.
- Primary units: Processing facilities established for jaggery, sugarcane juice and spices.
- Stated objectives: Facilitate food processing and entrepreneurship, increase farmer income through value addition, and reduce post‑harvest losses.
- Scheme linkage: Set up under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan; linked to the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme.
- State performance: Maharashtra holds a leading national position under the PMFME Scheme.
- Host institution: VNMKV is an agricultural university recognised for agricultural education, research and technology development.
IASPOINT Booster Facts
- MoFPI: Central ministry responsible for policy, promotion and financial support for food processing in India.
- PMFME (full form): Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises — scheme to formalise micro food processors and provide financial and technical assistance.
- Common Incubation Centres: MoFPI‑supported CICs provide shared processing infrastructure, product development and entrepreneurship support for micro and small food enterprises.