Context: Uttar Pradesh, along with Gujarat, is rapidly emerging as one of India’s leading food processing hubs, as highlighted in a recent report by Global Trade Research.
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- Modern dehydration plants have been set up in Mehsana and Banaskantha, Gujarat, while state-of-the-art processing plants are being developed in Agra and Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh.
- These plants are supported by robust contract farming and cold storage networks, enabling farmers to receive better prices for their produce.
- The government initiative is empowering farmers towards self-reliance and positioning Uttar Pradesh as a model for “agriculture to industry” transformation.
U.P Government’s Goal in Food Processing
- Over 65,000 food processing units currently operate in Uttar Pradesh, providing employment to around 2.55 lakh youth.
- The government plans to establish at least 1,000 new processing units in each district, enhancing value addition and creating employment opportunities in agriculture.
- The Yogi government has developed more than 15 agro and food processing parks, with key locations including Bareilly, Barabanki, Varanasi, and Gorakhpur.
- BL Agro is set to establish a Rs 1,660 crore integrated agro-processing hub in Bareilly, featuring facilities for rice milling, oil extraction, and packaging.
- The state government is focusing on fruit and vegetable processing, high-value crops, and export-oriented industries to link agricultural productivity directly to the global market.
- Plans are underway to establish the International Potato Center (CIP)’s South Asia Regional Center in Agra, which will conduct cutting-edge research on potatoes and other tuber crops.
- This initiative will create major opportunities for potato-producing districts like Kanpur, Agra, Lucknow, and Farrukhabad, offering farmers internationally competitive prices and export prospects.
- Countries like the US, Bangladesh, the UAE, and Vietnam are importing processed food products from India, helping to reshape the identity of the Indian food processing industry.
- Experts predict India’s consumer spending will reach $6 trillion by 2030, unlocking unprecedented investment, employment, and export opportunities for states like Uttar Pradesh.
- To support the sector, U.P government has established a strong financial and policy environment, with the “Food Processing Industry Policy 2023” marking a significant milestone, having already approved 19 new projects.
