Food Processing industry offers much larger potential compared to IT
Posted by COWE at 17 November, at 09 : 46 AM Print
- Gopala Krishna Ayitam, Management Consultant
These comments are not an exaggeration, considering the advantages of agro-climatic conditions and enterprising farming community that India possesses. Being the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables and third largest producer of food grains, India enjoys an enviable position. India takes a pride place among the top five or ten countries for many a major crop. These offer exciting opportunity for the sun rise industry – Food Processing in India.
Agriculture is the lifeline to India with nearly two thirds of the population depending on agriculture and with 24% contribution to the nation’s GDP
Favorable climatic conditions and varying climatic zones enable cultivation of multiple crops in more than one season at one place or the other. Systematic planning ensures product availability of many a crop throughout the year.
Opportunities for doing business with Indian Agriculture either in fresh or processed form are immense. Segments offering business opportunities for Domestic and Global markets include:
• Food grains
• Processed Foods
• Fruits
• Dairy products
• Vegetables
• Meat & poultry
• Plantation crops
• Aqua products
Indian Agriculture
With nearly 12% of the global arable land, Indian Agriculture enjoys an enviable position.
This is further reinforced with the following:
• 3rd largest producer of food grains
• 2nd largest producer of fruits
• 2nd largest producer of vegetables
• Largest producer of milk
• Largest number of livestock
This enviable position is based on:
• Growing economy with strong fundamentals
• Predominantly agrarian society
• Large arable land
• Favorable tropical climatic conditions
• Enterprising farming community
• Skilled workforce for traditional agriculture
• State commitment
• Small land holdings facilitating close supervision and operational flexibility
• Thrust on diversifications
Factors that enhance agribusiness opportunities:
Strong agriculture
State support
Multi product environment
Vibrant economy
Product availability throughout the year
Strong domestic market
Land area not a constraint
Products for global markets
Wealth of human resources
Presence of global MNCs
Exportable surplus
Agribusiness Opportunities
Opportunities to do business with Indian Agriculture are enormous. Some of them are stated hereunder.
Food grains
Fruits
Mango, Papaya, Pineapple, Guava, Pomegranate, Lime, Sweet orange, Banana, Grape, Sapota etc.
Vegetables
Carrot, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Beans, Okra, Peppers, Tomato, Bell peppers, Gherkins, Onion, Peas etc.
Flowers
Rose, Coronations, Gerbera etc.
Processed Fruits and Vegetables
Fruit pulp, concentrates, flavors, extracts, frozen fruits, frozen vegetables, pickled products, assorted products.
Spices
Black pepper, Red pepper, Garlic, Tamarind, Ginger, Basel leaves, Rosemary, Oregano etc.
Medicinal and Aromatic plants, Essential oils etc.
Mushrooms
Button mushrooms in whole or sliced form in cans/bottles
Dairy products
Milk, Milk powder, Butter, Ghee, Cottage cheese etc.
Aqua products
Fish, Shrimp, Crab, Assorted, Value added products etc.
Organic products
Fruits, Vegetables, Food grains, Mushrooms, Medicinal & Aromatic plants etc.