The government of India has identified the food processing industry as one of the most potential areas in terms of growth and employment. Subodh Kant Sahai, the ‘Food Processing Industries’ Minister believes that investments in the sector can create large number of job opportunities for professionals.
If huge investments are made in the food processing sector, it is expected to bring:
(a) Long term economic stability to farmers,
(b) Increase the level of processing,
(c) Help in reducing wastage and
(d) Generate plethora of career opportunities
Almost one-fifth of the country’s industrial labor force is already employed in the industry and there is a scope to double and even treble the figure.
The minister informed that the current processing level of agricultural and allied commodities in India is even less than 10% whereas it is as high as 70-80% in developed countries. This is what underlines the strong potential of the sector and justifies the need for larger investments. Technological up-gradation is of chief importance to achieve the above objectives of reduced wastage and increased processing levels. The improper cold chain management is another important issue to address in order to improve contract farming in India.
While offering the solutions to solve the food processing related issues, Sahai asked for increased focus on food products retailing. It makes marketing an indispensable tool as when one knows how to market food products, both investment and production become easier. With the growing needs of the ever increasing population, India definitely houses a humungous market for production and consumption of food products. The higher disposable incomes and perpetually evolving food habits of the massive middle class population guarantees a thriving market.
Even as 200 entrepreneurs have been assisted during the meet, another 200 are to be assisted by September 2010.
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