FATER Academy of India

Transforming Agriculture Sector As Profitable Industry Through Post Harvest Processing And Value Addition : The Success Story Of India

Prof.(Dr.)  P.K. Srivastava

Founder President FAI & Former Dean

College of Agricultural Engineering and Post Harvest Technology- Central Agricultural University, Gangtok &

Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India

Abstract

The Indian agriculture has witnessed many revolutions which include world famous green revolution, white revolution, blue revolution, yellow revolution, grey revolution, red revolution, silver revolution, pink revolution, brown revolution, round revolution and golden revolution. The last revolution relates to horticultural sector. All these revolutions have taken place during last five decades and have transformed India from a food deficit country to net exporter of variety of agricultural products including food. These developments are results of hard work of Indian farmers duly supported by a very strong network of institutions dedicated  to agricultural research, education and extension for development ( AREE 4 D). AREE4D has become an integral component of Indian National Agricultural Policy to ensure adequate, consistent and predictable investments in agriculture. Another very important development in Indian agricultural sector has been emergence of a very innovative post harvest processing and value addition oriented industrial setup throughout nation. In fact the Indian technological innovations and interventions have led to development of cost effective value/ supply chains in many crops highly suitable for establishment of large number of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). These developments in Indian agriculture have resulted in supply of better quality , more nutritious and highly valued products which have greater demands both in domestic and international markets. Being highly cost effective and comparatively economical cheaper technologies , most of these offer ample scope of loss reduction in supply chain  and employment and income generation within production catchments . An added advantage with these technologies , available innovative food products with diversified tastes, process protocols and hardware ( equipment, machinery and pilot plants ) is that India has now emerged as a nation at par with any other more advances country for mentoring of entrepreneurs, promoting agri- businesses, technology incubation, promotion of startups, and hand holding of those desiring to advance in post harvest management sector besides showing willingness to share the knowledge with other countries without any hidden agenda or motives .

Interestingly , the Indian food processing sector has been drastically transformed and has very well demonstrated the vital linkage existing between the two strong pillars of a nation ‘s economy , namely agriculture and industry. It has, beyond doubt, emerged as a highly profitable sector due to its proven and well demonstrated immense potential of value addition, effective utilization of co -products, by- products and residues etc. It ranks fifth in the world in terms of production, consumption, export and expected growth. It contributes more than 14% of the manufacturing gross domestic product (GDP), 13 % of the country’s exports and 6 % of the total industrial investments. In 2019, the food processing industry of India accounted for 32 % of the national food market.

This presentation is focused on processing and value addition of fruits and vegetables. An attempt has been made to briefly discuss the technological routes used in India for processing, preservation and value addition of fruits and vegetables. The various technological approaches utilized such as cool chain management for supply of farm fresh horticultural products to retail markets and consumers, traditional as well as modern methods of processing and preservation, the bio- refinery approach for secondary processeing leading to high value- low volume products etc. The presentation also includes brief discussion on some of the innovative government policies and initiatives which has facilitated the growth of food processing sector in India.

These information may be useful to Ukraine where the production sector of variety of fruits and vegetables is reported to be brighter. Due to comparatively lower costs and wages, favorable climate and fertile soils , broad knowledge on supply chain management, plant health, crop protection preference and appreciation for healthy life style etc., Ukraine has already the recognition of being a global player in the top fruits ( apples and pears ) and berries .namely strawberries, rasp berries, blue berries etc. However , as per some reports, post harvest sector in Ukraine is constrained due to poor infrastructure , logistics and insufficient knowledge on post harvest management , processing and storage. It is a matter of great appreciation that Ukraine acknowledges its dependence on agriculture, especially horticulture for export and is willing to harvest all opportunities for transforming its fruits and vegetables production sector  in equally matching status of supplier of processed  and value added products. The storage and processing of fruits and vegetables during winter period is reported to be very important in this country .May be the Indian approach attract our Ukrainian friends to prosper in processed and value added fruits and vegetables export related ventures.