Today, India is the fastest growing economy in the world and is home to over 1.3 billion people. The country’s rising disposable income has fueled the growth of the world’s largest consumer market. India is amongst the largest producers of food in the world. India is 1st in milk production in the world, 2nd largest producer of fruits and vegetables and 2nd largest fish producer in the world. India has a vast raw material base for the food processing industry. However, less than 2-5% of the country’s natural produce is processed due to lack of processing facilities, infrastructure and technology. Almost 25-30 per cent of agriculture produce is estimated to be wasted in the absence of proper processing mechanism. Only 7 per cent of the total Indian perishable produce is processed, which is extremely low compared to countries such as the US (65 per cent), Philippines (78 per cent) and China (23 per cent).
Government of India provides financial assistance upto Rs. 50.00 Crore per Mega Food Park project.India’s first mega food park ‘Srini Mega Food Park’, sprawling 147-acre space, was opened in Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh in 2012. From seed to shelf, Srini Food Park facilitates end-to-end food processing with beneficial forward and backward linkages. Currently, 9 Mega Food Parks namely Patanjali Food and Herbal Park, Haridwar, Srini Food Park, Chittoor, North East Mega Food Park, Nalbari, International Mega Food Park, Fazilka, Integrated Food Park, Tumkur, Jharkhand Mega Food Park, Ranchi, Indus Mega Food Park, Khargoan and Jangipur Bengal Mega Food Park, Murshidabad, MITS Mega Food Park, Rayagada, Orissa are functional. Recently, foundation stones for two new Mega Food Parks were laid in Kerala. The expected outcome is creation of high quality processing infrastructure, reduction in wastage, capacity building of producers and processors and creation of an efficient supply chain along with significant direct and indirect employment generation. The present Government is focusing on boosting the food processing industry so that agriculture sector grows exponentially and become a major contributor to doubling the farmer’s income and ‘Make in India’ initiative of the government. The government has made Food Processing a major thrust area of ‘Make in India’ initiative. The present government is fully committed to providing an environment that is smooth, transparent and easy for investors wanting to start an enterprise in India and in a bid to make India a resilient food economy and Food Factory of the World. Through Mega Food Park scheme the ministry has hit the right track. In coming years, Mega Food Parks will generate colossal revenue for the industry and the farmers and will surely boost the food processing industry in the country.
click and follow Indiaherald WhatsApp channel