Annapurna Scheme – Feeding the Nation, Empowering Women

For food entrepreneurs—from cloud kitchens and tiffin services to packaged health food makers.

Eligibility:

• Women aged 21–55
• Prior experience or training in culinary fields preferred

2025 Additions:

• Zero EMI for 6 months post loan disbursement
• Access to free courses on food branding and packaging design
• Tie-up with ONDC to list businesses online quickly

Loan Amount:

Up to ₹50,000 with interest subsidies for prompt repayment

Insight:

This scheme now prioritizes women-led brands offering millet-based meals, aligning with the UN’s promotion of 2023–2033 as the “Decade of Millets.”