Telangana evolves as India’s food processing hub
Since the State's founding, the State administration has given the food processing industry great importance, which is why all of this is taking place. The movement is receiving support from a variety of sources, with the production of agricultural, cattle, poultry, and oil palm in the State also rising significantly.
Telangana Special Food Processing Zones (TSFPZ) have been established all throughout the state to encourage the food processing industry by fostering the development of large-scale clusters. There are now 14 Special Food Processing Zones, with a goal of covering around 10,000 acres.
351 acres were given to 77 food processing businesses up until march 2023. In addition, proposals for the allocation of 803 acres were being considered.
The State government held the first-ever Food Conclave in april of this year, and 28 announcements with investments totaling Rs. 7,218 crore and the possibility of 58,000 new jobs throughout the State have been added to the list.
Land allocation and other issues need to be resolved in accordance with the needs of the enterprises. According to a representative of the telangana State Food Processing Society, a few businesses may soon declare the start of their operations while others may announce the laying of foundations for their businesses.
Not just that. The establishment of food processing businesses to transform rice into a variety of goods was also announced by the chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao last month. Additionally, he announced the opening of rice mills that would be under the direction of the State Civil Supplies Corporation. Mills for the manufacture of rice bran oil would be built and connected to rice mills. The chief minister has promised to build more warehouses as well. The State government was concentrating on creating micro food processing businesses with small and micro entrepreneurs, notably SHGs, in addition to big scale clusters, and providing the essential assistance.
All assistance was provided to these business owners, starting with the development of their business idea and ending with the installation of their equipment. Through SERP and MEPMA, a total of Rs. 36.83 crore in seed money has been distributed to 9373 SHG members.
With an investment of Rs. 8.43 crore, three common incubation centres are being built. millets for Hyderabad, the processing of spices in rural Warangal, and the processing of mangoes in the jagtial district are some of these incubator facilities.