India has a major agribusiness sector which has achieved remarkable successes over the last three and a half decades. Unprocessed foods are susceptible to spoilage by biochemical processes, microbial attack and infestation. The right post harvest practices such as good processing techniques, and proper packaging, transportation and storage (of even processed foods) can play a significant role in reducing spoilage and extending shelf life. The industry consists of segments like processed fruits and vegetables, cereal based products, dairy products, meat, poultry and fishery products, beverages and confectionery.

The global processed food market is estimated at $3.2 trillion. The Indian food market is estimated at $182 billion. Food processing industry in India is growing at 14% annum.The total food production in India is likely to double in the next ten years and there is an opportunity for large investments in food and food processing technologies especially in areas of canning, dairy and food processing, specialty processing, packaging, frozen food or refrigeration and thermo Processing. Fruits & vegetables, fisheries, milk & milk products, meat & poultry, packaged or convenience foods, alcoholic beverages & soft drinks and grains are important sub-sectors of the food processing industry. Health food and health food supplements are another rapidly rising segment of this industry which is gaining vast popularity amongst the health conscious. Coming to the snack food sector, application of modern technology has helped in enriching the quality of produce. It has tremendous growth opportunities in the country. Growing population, rapid urbanization, changing consumer preferences etc are expected to keep the demand increasing in future too. With a well-integrated supply chain and a good marketing strategy, a tremendous opportunity lies for snack food industry in India.

India's food processing industry is expected to benefit from this and grow to around $260-billion from the present USD 200-billion in the next 6-years, according to industry expert. It is estimated that potential for processed foods is estimated to reach from Rs 8,200-billion in 2009-10 to Rs13, 500-billion by 2014-15. India produces 41% of the world's mangoes, 30% of cauliflowers, 28 per cent of tea, 23% of cashews, 36 per cent of green peas and 10% of onions.The Indian diary sector is around $ 62 b and will grow to $108 b. The Indian food production is estimated at 500 million tonnes and food processing industry has immense potential.India is a large and growing market for food products as it is growing at about 1.6%annum. On the global food sector, the food products industry is expected to reach $3,137.2-billion by 2011.

In India, only 6% of total agro output of India is currently processed as against 80% in some developed countries leaving a large potential to be tapped in this sector.

The Indian government has formulated a Vision 2015, to triple the size of the food processing industry, from the current $ 70 b to around $ 210 b, enhancing her global share to 3%, increasing value addition to 35%, from the current 20% and raising the level of processing of perishables to 20%.The most promising sub-sectors includes -Soft-drink bottling, Confectionery manufacture, Fishing, aquaculture, Grain-milling and grain-based products, Meat and poultry processing, Alcoholic beverages, Milk processing, Tomato paste, Fast-food, Ready-to-eat breakfast cereals, Food additives, flavors etc.

How to Come Up With Agriculture Project Ideas?

The success of any agriculture-based project ideas begins with identifying the right business idea. If you are planning to start a profitable business in the agriculture industry, the first step will be to identify a project idea. I believe the following tips will help you come up with a practical project idea in agriculture.

1. Assess your Interests

You need to understand your interests in agriculture. You can start by making a list of various business areas in agriculture. These include dairy farming, horticulture, poultry, floriculture, agro-processing industry, etc. Next, review your interests and aspirations to identify an idea in these areas that are consistent with your interests. A business based on ideas that you have little personal interests may not survive future challenges.

2. Assess your level of Skills and Knowledge

The agriculture and agro-processing industry require continuous innovation and rebranding. You need adequate skills and knowledge in your preferred field. These skills help you to keep up with the high level of competition. If you have some skills in grafting tree seedlings or managing a hatchery or a slaughterhouse, let your business idea reflect that skill. 

3. Your financial ability

Consider the required financial inputs against your financial ability. You may also explore other methods or raising capital, such as bank loans or shareholding.

4. Market potential

I do not think you want to start a farming project or a msme food processing factory as a hobby; you want to make profits. Therefore, before you working on a project report, survey the market. Is the demand for your intended product adequate to sustain your business? What is the level of competition?  

Role of Agriculture and Agro Food Processing Industry

Agriculture is as old as human civilization. Today, it remains a key economic growth factor around the world. You notice that agricultural practices and the use of technology is very different between developed and developing countries. Whereas developed countries use farm machinery to lower costs and increase production, developing countries rely on human labor. Human labor is expensive and has lower efficiency. Agro food processing industries play a crucial role in modernizing farming and food processing.

We can summarize the role of agriculture and the agro-processing industry as follows:

• Source of income to the farmers and manufacturers
• Source of revenue to governments
• Value addition to farm produce
• Sources of employment
• Reduce food wastage through processing and preservation
• Enhance world food security

How to Set Up a Successful Food Processing Industry?

Do you want to start a food processing unit? Well, my task is to help you get started. Here are some tips that you might find helpful in starting a food production industry.

1. Get an Ideal Business Idea

There are many types of food processing project ideas. Know what you want to do and produce. Make a clear, precise description of your product, including its specifications and benefits to the buyer.

2. Carry out a Market Survey

Do some surveys and write a project feasibility report. This report helps you understand the market before you make your investment. From the report, identify how many food production companies there are in your locality. Get to know your competitors and the level of competition. Strategize on how to do marketing and branding to penetrate the processed food industry.

3. Develop a Management Structure

Clearly outline how you will manage company operations. This includes sourcing of raw farm produce, transport, storage, processing, marketing, etc.

4. Conform to legal requirements

Make sure you get all licenses relevant to food processing unit and packaging. Familiarize yourself with the requirements of the Food Safety and Drug Administration Authority and ensure full compliance.

5. Establish clear food safety procedures

You need to develop measures to ensure food that there is no contamination of food during either processing or packaging.

How Agro-Processing Technology helps in the Growth of Agriculture Industry?

When food-processing technology evolved during and after World War II, there was an increase in large-scale food manufacturing companies' lists. Trends in food distribution changed, and with it came a rise in quality of life.

The purposes of agriculture industry include:

• Value addition for raw farm produce
• Income generation for farmers
• Reduce unemployment
• Contribute to economic development

In the agro-processing industry, you will find a range of technologies. The simplest technologies include simple drying. More advanced technologies include irradiation techniques. I may categorize the role of technology in food processing companies into three areas of application:

1. Utilization of by-products

You can process residues such as hides, rice husks, and dung into useful products with appropriate technology.

2. Reduce farm loses

Without technology, tons of farm produce rot or lose value under storage. We can avoid this by:

• Postharvest disinfection
• Inducing dormancy
• Extending produce shelf-life
• Limiting the spread of food-borne infections
• Improve food preservation

You can use irradiation, freezing, and other technologies to lengthen the shelf life of food processing products.

Project Report on Processed Food Industry

There are numerous profitable examples of most profitable food processing business ideas. You probably have your eyes set on one of them. Writing a food manufacturing business idea project report is one of the initial steps you must undertake. Some of the things you need to consider in your technical project report for a food-processing unit include:

1. Market Review

There are many business opportunities in the food production industry. Before you write that project status report, identify your target market. Find out if there are other manufacturers of the same product, you wish to introduce. Another thing you must establish is the demand for your product and current market prices. This should inform your production cost.

2. Technology

You can process the same food products in different ways. Find out the most affordable and acceptable production procedure and technology. Some consumers may also prefer foods processed in a particular manner. You should consider this in selecting your process.

3. Investment opportunities

If you develop an excellent industrial project report, you will tell whether your intended product is worth investment or not. An excellent investment opportunity should offer low inputs and high returns. Consult with food processing machinery manufacturers to establish the cost of machines and food processing equipment. Factor this on the production coast and compare with expected profits from the sale of your products.

Reasons for buying our reports:

This report helps you to identify a profitable project for investing or diversifying into by throwing light to crucial areas like industry size, market potential of the product and reasons for investing in the product

This report provides vital information on the product like its characteristics and segmentation

This report helps you market and place the product correctly by identifying the target customer group of the product 

This report helps you understand the viability of the project by disclosing details like machinery required, project costs and snapshot of other project financials

The report provides a glimpse of government regulations applicable on the industry

The report provides forecasts of key parameters which helps to anticipate the industry performance and make sound business decisions.

Our Approach:

Our research reports broadly cover Indian markets, present analysis, outlook and forecast for a period of five years.

The market forecasts are developed on the basis of secondary research and are cross-validated through interactions with the industry players

We use reliable sources of information and databases. And information from such sources is processed by us and included in the report