The Indian government has announced to set up nearly 350 food processing units in the next 100 days to create more employment opportunities and establish new partnership between agricultural and industrial sectors.

The Indian government has announced to assist in setting up around 350 food processing units in the next 100 days under its flagship program called Evergreen Revolution, as reported by FOODPRODUCTIONDAILY.

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) said that it had made plans to invest one trillion rupees ($20 Billion) in the sector by 2015 to create nearly 10 Million new jobs. The Ministry also affirmed that it would make the Indian food processing industry more than treble in the next five years and would raise its global share to 3%.

Moreover, the government has extended the financial assistance given in the form of grant-in-aid to agencies and entrepreneurs with a view of upgrading the technology used in food processing units.

The proposed food processing units will be set up in fields like meat, diary, fruit and vegetables, grain, fish and consumer food industry. The Ministry has also released a roadmap of how the funds will be given to agencies and entrepreneurs. The approval will depend on the availability of funds in the budget provision on an annual basis.

The Ministry further said; "After the Green Revolution, we are now ushering in the ever-green revolution in the country. Processing is an ever-green activity. It's the key to the agricultural sector."

The government also said that it wanted to give thrust to a new partnership between industrial sector and agriculture to help farmers to go higher on the value chain. This will also bring revolution in India by creating huge employment opportunities, raising new income levels, transforming rural India and eliminating poverty. Besides, food processing will generate foreign exchange for the country's development.

According to a new research report, "Indian Food and Drinks Market: Emerging Opportunities" by RNCOS, the rapid change in lifestyles of people living in urban areas have soared the demand for processed, packaged and ready-to-eat food products.

A RNCOS Senior Research Analyst said: "The Indian government is not only committed to give higher aid but will also support agricultural development through its various policies such as investment in infrastructure, incentives for sustainable use of water and soil, and establishment of effective research and development systems."

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