To commemorate 75 years of India's independence, the Government of India is celebrating the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.' As a part of the celebration, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries is celebrating Food Processing Week from 6 September 2021 to 12 September 2021, under which the ministry is organizing various programs.

On the last day of the Food Processing Week (12 September 2021), the Union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries, Prahlad Singh Patel, inaugurated the Food Processing Unit of Sahara Frozen Foods established in Morena, Madhya Pradesh, under the cold chain scheme of Central sector scheme - Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana.

Speaking on occasion, Patel said that this processing unit would benefit everyone at the local level. He also mentioned that the ministry always prioritizes local farmers and regional crops and is working religiously with full potential to develop India's food processing sector.

The Sahara Frozen Foods unit has been set up at a project cost of Rs 21.09 crores and a grant of Rs 10 crores from the ministry. The unit will also provide direct and indirect employment to about 700 persons and benefit about 1,000 farmers in the CPC and PPC catchment areas.

The facilities of this unit include IQF Pre-Processing Line for F&V – 4 MT/hr, deep freezer frozen store – 4000 MT, modern racking system (stacking)-4000 MT, and high reach material handling- 2 units. The unit provides excellent state-of-the-art facilities such as packing machines, water treatment plants, water storage tanks, subsystems, fittings etc. This processing unit mainly produces frozen peas, mango pieces, frozen cabbage, and more.

As part of the Food Processing Week, the success story of the beneficiary of the PMFME scheme, Mohit Kishor Khedikar of Madhur Bakery, was published on the ministry's social media platforms in the 'Atmanirbhar Enterprises' series. A webinar on Business Opportunities in Bakery & Confectionery under 'One District One Product' was also organized by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries and Department of Industries, UT CHD at Chandigarh.

In addition to the above activities, Rs 5.41 crore as Seed Capital has been transferred to community-based organizations for 1498 SHG members in Maharashtra under the PMFME Scheme.