The Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, Shri. Chirag Paswan, inaugurated a state-of-the-art Common Incubation Centre at Tezpur University in Sonitpur district of Assam on 13 March, 2026 with 100% financial assistance from the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India, under the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme (PMFME Scheme).
The incubation centre has been established as a modern food processing innovation and entrepreneurship hub aimed at supporting micro food processing enterprises, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), cooperatives, startups and aspiring entrepreneurs.
The programme commenced with inauguration of the PMFME Incubation Centre by the Minister in the august presence of Shri Prithiraj Rabha, MLA of Tezpur constituency, Shri D. Praveen, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Prof. Amarendra Kumar Das, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Tezpur University, Shri Megha Nidhi Dahal, MD, AIDC, Shri Sazzad Alam, Additional Secretary, Govt. of Assam and Shri Ananda Kumar Das, District Commissioner.
This was followed by the interaction of the Minister with PMFME Scheme beneficiaries, entrepreneurs, start-ups, faculty members of Tezpur University and other stakeholders from the food processing ecosystem. In his welcome address, Prof. Amarendra Kumar Das, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Tezpur University while highlighting the significance of the initiative expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Food Processing Industries for providing the necessary assistance.
He also informed that the Department of Food Engineering and Technology at Tezpur University will provide technical guidance and mentorship to entrepreneurs in areas such as processing technologies, packaging, branding, labelling and compliance with food safety standards
During his opening remarks, Shri D. Praveen, Joint Secretary, MoFPI highlighted the importance of collaboration between government, academia, and entrepreneurs for building a vibrant food processing sector. He also informed that Ministry of Food Processing Industries has given a financial assistance to the tune of Rs. 2.35 crore for the incubation centre.
Shri Prithiraj Rabha, MLA of Tezpur constituency, in his remarks, encouraged university students to take up food processing and skill development courses to tap emerging opportunities in the sector. He urged the youth to become tomorrow’s entrepreneurs and contribute to regional economic growth and employment generation.
Shri Chirag Paswan, Union Minister of Food Processing Industries, in his inaugural address highlighted the Government of India’s vision to strengthen the food processing ecosystem in the North-Eastern Region through innovation, entrepreneurship and value addition to agricultural produce.
Encouraging youth to become job creators instead of job seekers, the Minister emphasised the growing opportunities in the food processing sector, where many professionals are now taking up entrepreneurial ventures. He appreciated the University for establishing seven specialised processing and support lines for fruits, grains, spices, bakery and other segments, which will help entrepreneurs develop and commercialise new products.
The facility is expected to serve Sonitpur and neighbouring districts including Darrang, Udalguri, Biswanath, Nagaon and Golaghat, creating a regional hub for food processing enterprise development. Highlighting the impact of the PMFME Scheme under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, Shri Paswan noted that loans have been sanctioned to over 1.87 lakh micro food processing enterprises across the country, benefiting FPOs, SHGs, cooperatives and farmers through financial assistance, capacity building and market linkages.
He stressed the importance of a “Farm to Fork” approach to reduce food wastage, improve value chains and support the Prime Minister’s vision of doubling farmers’ income. The Minister said India has the potential to emerge as a “Global Food Basket” through enhanced production, quality, exports and promotion of regional food products.
Describing Assam as the gateway to the North-East, he reiterated the Government’s focus on strengthening food processing infrastructure in the region. Expressing his vision, Shri Paswan stated, “I want to see ‘Made in India’ food products on each and every dining table across the world.”