Goa Wins National Award for Overall Performance Under PMFME Scheme in Small State Category

Goa won the PMFME National Award for Small State performance, presented by Union Minister Shri Chirag Paswan at the 2026 Conclave. Goa sanctioned 160 applications (target 134), released ₹5.76 crore in subsidies to 147 beneficiaries, and disbursed ₹8.32 crore in Seed Capital to 1,974 SHG enterprises (2,198 members). Officials Geeta Joshi and Yeshwant Tuyenkar also received individual awards for their contributions.

At a Glance

Goa wins PMFME national award in Small State category
160 applications sanctioned against target of 134
₹5.76 crore subsidy released to 147 beneficiaries
₹8.32 crore Seed Capital reaches SHG enterprises

Goa Wins National PMFME Award

Goa has received national recognition for its performance under the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme, emerging as the Winner State for Overall Performance in the Small State category.

The award was conferred by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India, during the PMFME Conclave 2026 held at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi on August 24 and 25.

Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Shri Chirag Paswan presented the award to the Goa PMFME team, recognising the State’s implementation of the scheme and its performance against the prescribed evaluation criteria.

The Government of Goa was informed about its selection as a winner through a Ministry communication dated August 13, 2026, following an evaluation of States and Union Territories under the approved PMFME performance assessment framework.

The national award places Goa among the States recognised for effective implementation of the PMFME scheme and highlights the State’s efforts to support micro food processing entrepreneurs, self-help groups and other stakeholders in the sector.

Goa Surpasses Its PMFME Application Target

One of the key factors behind Goa’s national recognition is the State’s performance in sanctioning applications under the PMFME scheme.

According to the Goa Government, between 2021 and 2026–27, a total of 160 PMFME applications have been sanctioned in Goa. These include 158 individual applications and two group applications.

The achievement is particularly significant because Goa had an overall target of 134 applications. The State therefore exceeded its sanctioned application target, demonstrating strong implementation of the scheme at the ground level.

The PMFME programme is designed to encourage the formalisation and strengthening of micro food processing enterprises. Its implementation involves coordination between government agencies, district-level officials, resource persons, financial institutions and beneficiaries.

The Goa Government’s performance reflects the combined efforts of these stakeholders in identifying beneficiaries, facilitating applications and supporting entrepreneurs through the implementation process.

₹5.76 Crore Subsidy Released to Goa Beneficiaries

Financial assistance has been a major component of Goa’s PMFME implementation.

As of the period covered by the State’s assessment, ₹5.76 crore in subsidy has been released to 147 beneficiaries under the scheme.

The financial support is aimed at helping micro food processing entrepreneurs strengthen their businesses and improve their capacity to process, package and market food products.

For small food processing enterprises, such assistance can play an important role in moving operations towards greater formalisation and improved commercial sustainability.

The Goa Government has also reported substantial progress under the Seed Capital component of the PMFME scheme.

Between 2022 and 2026, ₹8.32 crore was disbursed to 1,974 SHG enterprises/applications covering 2,198 members.

This component has helped extend the reach of the scheme beyond individual entrepreneurs to self-help group members involved in food-related economic activities.

PMFME Seed Capital Strengthens SHG Enterprises

The Seed Capital support is particularly important because self-help groups represent a significant grassroots entrepreneurship network.

By providing financial support to SHG enterprises and their members, the PMFME framework seeks to enable small food businesses to strengthen their operations and participate more effectively in the formal food processing ecosystem.

Goa’s figures ₹8.32 crore disbursed, 1,974 SHG enterprises/applications and 2,198 members covered form an important part of the State’s overall PMFME performance.

The figures also underline the wider impact of the scheme in supporting micro-level food enterprises and creating opportunities for entrepreneurship at the community level.

Goa Officials Receive Individual National Recognition

Goa’s success at the PMFME Conclave was not limited to the State-level award.

Two officials from North Goa were also recognised for their contribution to implementing the PMFME scheme.

Smt. Geeta Joshi, District Nodal Officer, North Goa, was recognised as the Best District Nodal Officer, while Shri Yeshwant Tuyenkar, District Resource Person, North Goa, was recognised as the Best District Resource Person.

Their recognition highlights the importance of district-level implementation in translating government schemes into actual support for entrepreneurs and beneficiaries.

The PMFME Conclave 2026 recognised outstanding District Nodal Officers and District Resource Persons as part of its wider awards programme for top-performing stakeholders. The Ministry said the Conclave brought together more than 500 stakeholders from States and Union Territories, financial institutions, government organisations, technical institutions, industry bodies and PMFME beneficiaries.

Goa Beneficiaries Take Centre Stage at PMFME Bazaar

Goa’s participation in the PMFME Bazaar added another dimension to its presence at the national conclave.

The PMFME Bazaar was inaugurated by Union Minister Shri Chirag Paswan and featured micro food processing enterprises from 25 States and Union Territories. It provided entrepreneurs with an opportunity to showcase products, connect with potential markets and gain wider visibility.

Representing Goa at the PMFME Bazaar, Shri Vivek Patki, a PMFME beneficiary from the State, showcased his products for exhibition and sale.

The participation gave a Goan entrepreneur an opportunity to present products on a national platform alongside micro food processing enterprises from across India.

Another Goa beneficiary, Smt. Shradha Sawant, received national-level recognition through her selection for the PMFME Coffee Table Book launched during the conclave.

The publication features success stories of PMFME beneficiaries and provides a platform for highlighting entrepreneurial journeys supported through the scheme.

What Is the PMFME Scheme?

The Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme is a central government initiative focused on strengthening India’s micro food processing sector.

The scheme seeks to support micro food processing enterprises by improving access to finance, technology, capacity building, branding and markets. The broader objective is to help small food businesses move towards formalisation and become more competitive and sustainable.

The 2026 PMFME Conclave brought these objectives together by focusing on implementation experiences, stakeholder capacity, market linkages and recognition of high-performing States and grassroots functionaries.

According to the Ministry, the two-day conclave was designed to strengthen the micro food processing ecosystem and provide a national platform for sharing experiences and showcasing beneficiary achievements.

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Why Goa’s PMFME Award Matters

Goa’s National Award for Overall Performance under PMFME Scheme in the Small State category is significant because it recognises the State’s performance across the implementation of the scheme rather than a single project or individual achievement.

The State exceeded its application target, released substantial subsidy support and expanded Seed Capital assistance to SHG enterprises. At the same time, officials and beneficiaries from Goa received individual and national-level recognition at the PMFME Conclave.

The achievement also demonstrates how central government schemes can be implemented through coordinated efforts involving State departments, district officials, resource persons, SHGs and beneficiaries.

The State’s performance was supported by the Government of Goa, Directorate of Industries, Trade & Commerce as the State Nodal Agency, District Nodal Officers, State Project Management Unit (SPMU), District Resource Persons (DRPs), GSRLM, GSUDA and other stakeholders.

A National Recognition for Goa’s Food Processing Sector

The PMFME award gives Goa an important national platform to highlight its micro food processing ecosystem and the entrepreneurs working within it.

From individual beneficiaries and SHGs to district-level officials and State implementing agencies, the recognition reflects a broader network supporting food processing enterprises in Goa.

The State’s participation in the PMFME Bazaar and the recognition of Goan beneficiaries further adds visibility to local products and entrepreneurial stories.

For Goa, the PMFME National Award 2026 is therefore more than an award for implementation. It is a recognition of the State’s efforts to formalise, strengthen and promote micro food processing enterprises while creating greater opportunities for entrepreneurs and self-help groups.

The recognition at the PMFME Conclave 2026 also comes at a time when the national programme is placing greater emphasis on connecting micro food enterprises with finance, technology, branding and markets. The Ministry has described the conclave as a platform for building a stronger, inclusive and market-oriented micro food processing ecosystem.

Conclusion

Goa’s National Award for Overall Performance under the PMFME Scheme in the Small State category marks a major achievement for the State’s micro food processing sector. With 160 applications sanctioned against a target of 134, ₹5.76 crore in subsidy released to 147 beneficiaries and ₹8.32 crore in Seed Capital reaching SHG enterprises, Goa has demonstrated strong implementation of the PMFME programme.

The recognition of Goa officials and beneficiaries at the national PMFME Conclave further strengthens the achievement. With Goan entrepreneurs also receiving a platform at the PMFME Bazaar and in the PMFME Coffee Table Book, the award places Goa’s micro food processing ecosystem firmly on the national stage.

The Independent Voice of Goa

The Independent Voice of Goa

The Independent Voice of Goa