Chennai: South Indian states have huge opportunities in the food processing sector, especially millets, ready-to-eat foods, ready-to-cook foods, and plant-based dairy alternatives, according to P Ravichandran, chairman of CII national committee on cold chain and president, Danfoss Industries.
At the CII Food Pro event in the city on Friday, Ravichandran said the focus needs to be on continuing innovation and development.“India has enormous potential for investment and growth in the agrifood tech sector,” he said.
State agricultural production commissioner Apoorva said with the world’s population expected to reach nearly 10 billion by 2050, the demand for food is anticipated to increase by about 50%. This scenario presents both a challenge and an opportunity to redefine how we process, preserve, and distribute food, she said.
Tamil Nadu’s total agricultural exports amounted to $1,648 million in FY24, representing 6.4% of the country’s agricultural exports valued at $25,600 million, said a report, titled Food processing sector in India and potential for southern states, released at the event.
The most exported commodities from Tamil Nadu were poultry products, non-basmati rice, processed fruits, juices and nuts. These five commodities collectively accounted for 54% of Tamil Nadu’s total agricultural and allied sector exports, valued at $896 million in 2023-24. Besides agriculture, Tamil Nadu contributes nearly one-fifth of India’s marine exports.
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South Indian states saw great opportunities in food processing, highlighted by P Ravichandran at the CII Food Pro event in Chennai. With significant growth in sectors like millets, ready-to-eat, ready-to-cook foods, and plant-based dairy, India continues innovating. Tamil Nadu’s agricultural exports in FY24 reached $1,648 million, contributing significantly to India’s marine exports and processed food sector.
India exported non-basmati white rice worth $122.7 million during April-May this fiscal, despite a current ban effective since July 2023. Exports were allowed with government permission to meet specific nations’ food security needs. Major importers included the Maldives, Mauritius, and Namibia. India also maintained strong fisheries subsidies, protecting fishermen’s interests under WTO agreements.
Seventeen individuals were hospitalized following an ammonia gas leak at a food processing factory in Yavat, Pune district, on Tuesday morning. Among them, a woman was admitted to the ICU for better care. Emergency responders swiftly controlled the situation, and the affected individuals are stable, though still under observation. Police are investigating the incident.
