AP Seeks Centre's Support for SHG Women Entrepreneurship

The Andhra Pradesh government wants the central government to help women in self-help groups (SHGs) become entrepreneurs in the food processing sector.

The AP minister met with central officials to discuss ways to make a scheme called PMFME work better in Andhra Pradesh.

He suggested that subsidies for PMFME units should be credited directly to the Stree Nidhi account and that interest subvention should be extended to SHG women under the PMFME scheme, similar to the concessions available to commercial banks under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF).

The minister also proposed that district and mandal federations be recognized as PMFME District Resource Organisations (DROs) to provide training and support to women entrepreneurs.

The central officials responded positively and assured that the requests would be examined on priority.

Additionally, the minister sought the establishment of a dedicated retail outlet for the SWAYAM brand at the upcoming Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram, which would provide wider market access for products manufactured by SHG women in the state.