Post Independence History
Ethics Case Studies
Essay
NCERT Questions
img1

03-06-2023

01:21:PM

147 Views


Elaborate the scope and significance of the food processing industry in India. [UPSC-2022]

Approach

  1. Introduction: Define Food processing and write briefly about its evolution, if possible.
  2. Main body: Briefly mention the types of FP. Write down the scope and significance elaborately.
  3. Conclusion: Conclude accordingly.


Introduction:

Food processing refers to any method that leads to a change in raw food to make it suitable for consumption and to increase their shelf life. Food processing is an ancient practice using salts, sun drying, and fermentation for storing food for longer periods, which has now become more efficient by the use of advanced technology and better food preservative chemicals.


Main body: 

Two main types of processing:

  • Primary products- prepared from the raw material
  • Secondary products- prepared from one or more stages of value addition 

Scope of food processing industry (FPI) in India:

  • Huge agricultural potential and labour intensive employing more than 50% of the population.
  • Surplus amount of raw materials which are even exported, mostly without value addition, such as dairy, meat, horticultural produce, spices etc.
  • Disguised labour that can be readily employed in FPIs.

Significance of FPI in India:

  • Employment generation
  • Major contribution to GDP. According to the Food Processing Minister in 2020-21, the food processing industry contributed 12.8% to India’s GDP.
  • Value addition makes huge income difference and is very profitable. For instance, countries like Japan import raw materials from India and export processed foods gaining huge profits.
  • Sustainable development- processed foods have longer shelf life which reduces food wastage.
  • Augmented exports due to longer shelf life. 

 

Conclusion:

FPI is a key sector of economy with expanding global markets due to the increasing population and the focus on sustainable development and food security. The Indian government’s Mega Food Park Scheme is a transformational initiative to boost FPI in India. 

View Students' Model Answers

Comments

Recent Comments

What's New