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Chirag Paswan inaugurates state-of-the-art incubation centre at Tezpur
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Thursday, 19 March, 2026, 13 : 00 PM [IST]
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Our Bureau, New Delhi
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In a significant move to bolster the food processing ecosystem in North-East India, Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, Chirag Paswan, inaugurated a modern Common Incubation Centre at Tezpur University recently. Established with 100% financial assistance of Rs 2.35 crore from the Ministry under the PMFME (Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises) Scheme, the centre aims to transform the region into a hub for food innovation.
The facility is designed to support micro-enterprises, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and startups. It features seven specialized processing lines for fruits, grains, spices, and bakery products. Speaking at the event, Minister Paswan emphasized the government's "Farm to Fork" vision, aimed at reducing food wastage and doubling farmers' income through value addition.
“Assam is the gateway to the North-East, and our focus is on strengthening infrastructure here to ensure 'Made in India' food products reach dining tables globally,” the Minister stated. He urged the youth to transition from being job seekers to job creators, highlighting that the PMFME scheme has already sanctioned loans to over 1.87 lakh micro-enterprises across the country.
The Department of Food Engineering and Technology at Tezpur University will provide technical mentorship in processing, packaging, and food safety compliance. The centre will serve Sonitpur and neighboring districts, including Darrang, Udalguri, and Biswanath.
The inauguration saw the presence of Prithiraj Rabha (MLA, Tezpur), D. Praveen (Joint Secretary, MoFPI), and Prof. Amarendra Kumar Das (Pro-Vice Chancellor, Tezpur University). The Minister also interacted with local entrepreneurs and startups, reaffirming the government's commitment to building a "Global Food Basket" through regional empowerment.
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