Though there is immense scope for food processing industries in the Southern districts, the sector remains largely unexplored, say experts.
Lack of awareness of the opportunities and technologies available is one of the major reasons cited for entrepreneurs not delving into the industry.
Speaking to The Hindu on Friday, K. Alagusundaram, Director of Indian Institute of Crop Processing Technology (IICPT), Thanjavur, noted that around 30 per cent of the total produce in fruits and vegetables perish post-harvest. Around 35 per cent of food processing industries in Tamil Nadu were dependent on milk, 25 per cent comprise bakery and five per cent included all others such as meat processing industries, according to Mr. Alagusundaram. “Processing vegetables and fruits will give new varieties for consumers, minimise losses for agriculturalists and yield profit for food processors,” he added.
C. Chinnusamy, Dean of Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai, said fruit and vegetable-based food processing industries were profit-yielding enterprises.
“Only Theni has an industry where banana is being processed. There is a lot of potential for similar industries in Dindigul, Madurai, Ramanathapuram and Sivaganga districts as well,” he said.
Mr. Alagusundaram noted that Dindigul district produced a huge quantity of vegetables. Similarly, Ramanathapuram, Pudukottai and Sivaganga districts had numerous belts where minor millets were cultivated, he observed.
“With the growing demand for traditional rice varieties and millets in the State, there is a good scope for processing these products and making them popular. Backward integration of farmers is what is needed now,” he further said.
Mr. Chinnusamy stated that the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries had intensified programmes aimed at training agricultural entrepreneurs in food processing technologies. “Mushroom cultivation and value addition are among the most profitable industries. It is only now that entrepreneurs are learning about agriculture-based food processing opportunities,” he added.
V.S. Manimaran, president of Madurai District Tiny and Small-Scale Industries Association, said micro industries could be set up with investments between Rs.5 lakh and Rs.25 lakh.
“Madurai has good scope for fruit pulp processing industries, particularly mango,” he concluded.
