Uttar Pradesh is witnessing a fresh push in its food processing sector as industry bodies and the state government move to promote food startups, cloud kitchens, and regional cuisine businesses under the flagship One District, One Cuisine (ODOC) initiative.
The move comes after the state identified 208 traditional dishes under the ODOC scheme, aimed at promoting regional food heritage while strengthening market opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Industry leaders said the initiative would help leverage Uttar Pradesh’s position as one of India’s largest producers of agricultural and horticultural products while supporting food entrepreneurship, packaging, branding, exports, and e-commerce.
Dinesh Goyal said the MSME sector offers significant opportunities in food processing and value-added food businesses. He added that the Indian Industries Association (IIA) plans to support innovative food startups and encourage the expansion of cloud kitchens across the state.
Cloud kitchens, which operate as delivery-only food units catering to online orders without dine-in infrastructure, are increasingly gaining popularity amid the rapid growth of food delivery platforms and digital ordering trends.
The Yogi Adityanath government is also considering subsidies and incentives for setting up new food processing units, along with assistance for packaging, branding, and marketing support.
Meanwhile, the IIA will organise the 11th edition of India Food Expo 2026 (IFX-26) in Lucknow from September 18 to 20. According to Deepak Kumar Bajaj, the event is expected to attract participants from more than 30 countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe.
Industry officials said the expo would provide a major platform for MSMEs in the food processing sector while focusing on food safety, alternative energy-based food equipment, and global supply chain systems for religious offerings and processed foods.
Vineet Pandey said entrepreneurs would receive support in food testing, regulatory compliance, and safety standards.
According to the IIA, business deals worth nearly ₹700 crore are expected to be signed during IFX-26, helping connect local food enterprises with national and international markets.
To further strengthen the linkage between agriculture and food markets, the state government is planning to establish 75,000 new food processing units across Uttar Pradesh. Officials believe increased processing of fruits, vegetables, and high-value cash crops could significantly boost farmer incomes and expand the state’s export-oriented food industry.
Industry experts say the initiative reflects Uttar Pradesh’s broader ambition to position food processing as a key driver in its target of becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2030.