Food processing is an important sector in today’s world. Food processing has increasingly emerged as a major sector of economy. Factors like climate change are making food security one of the most burning issues of the present and future times.
Post Abrogation of Article 370, the need to set up food processing has been felt more direly, and efforts are being made for its promotion. The Jammu and Kashmir Government with full support from the central government is giving full support to ensure that food processing becomes an important sector of our economy and gives employment to the youth of Jammu and Kashmir.
BLURB
J&K Government with full support from the Central Government is working hard to ensure that food processing becomes an important sector of our economy and provides employment to our youth
*Increasing The Shelf Life Of Agricultural Produce*
In common parlance, food processing is the transformation of agricultural products into food, or of one form of food into other forms. Food processing includes many forms of processing foods, from grinding grain to make raw flour to home cooking to complex industrial methods used to make convenience foods. Some food processing methods play important roles in reducing food waste and improving food preservation, thus reducing the total environmental impact of agriculture and improving food security.
The estimated installed capacity of the fruit and vegetable processing industry in Kashmir has increased to a good extent. The processed items are fruit pulps, juices, jams, apple concentrate, canned fruits etc.
Food Processing & Logistics Hub In Srinagar
Developments after developments are taking place in Kashmir with reference to Food Processing Sector. Jammu and Kashmir Government just few weeks back signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with world famous LuLu Group to set up a food processing and logistics hub in Srinagar. The MoU was signed in the presence of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and LuLu group Chairman Yusuff Ali MA.
3 Common Incubation Centres in J&K
On the eve of the third anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MOFPI) has approved the proposal to set up three Common Incubation Centres in Jammu and Kashmir. These centres will include a hub for milk and milk products in Narwal, for fish in Achabal and for apples in Doabgah.
The most powerful aspect of the food processing sector is that it is mostly a youth engaging sector and generates lot of meaningful opportunities.
It is worth pointing out here that the review meeting for the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM-FME) scheme was held at the Civil Secretariat in Jammu. The decision regarding the incubation centres was announced thereafter.
Enormous Potential
We need to bear in mind that the food processing sector has enormous potential in the country. With a strong agricultural background and several favourable trends supporting its progress, the Indian food processing industry is on the cusp of a transformation. The industry can potentially grow at a CAGR of 10-11 per cent to reach $500-530 billion by FY27, according to a report.
The report also stated that by addressing immediate challenges and focusing on optimising food wastage, enhancing food processing penetration and increasing exports, the sector could potentially double its size to $600-650 billion in the same period.
Global Hub Of Apple Production
Kashmir is known as the global hub of apple production and also produces wide range of vegetables including the exotic vegetables. Thus the food processing sector has already a sound base in Kashmir as far as raw material is concerned.
Food Processing Industry is growing at the rate of 20-25% per year in the country. All stakeholders in Kashmir are hopeful that the region shall definitely benefit from growth in this sector.
What is heartening note that over the years people have got more awareness about food processing sector. The government is giving all out efforts to give education to youth of Jammu and Kashmir in the food processing sector.
The Union Government has already stressed that the annual wastage of agricultural produce is almost 30 per cent. This is equivalent to Rs 580 crore due to inadequate storage and processing facilities. The wasted food can feed almost 232 million. So in coming times there would be all the more stress on it to strengthen our food processing industry.
