Agriculture, cattle, poultry, and oil palm output are all rising steadily in the state, adding to the momentum.
Telangana is steadily developing itself as a centre for the food processing industry after establishing itself as a hub for the country’s technology, healthcare, innovation, electronic manufacturing, and aerospace sectors.
Telangana already has India’s largest ice-cream manufacturing unit, Hatsun’s venture, and the first unit of French flavours and beverage firm Georges Monin SAS, as well as one of the largest wet maize milling plants, one of the largest export-oriented oleoresin and chilli processing units, and India’s first fully integrated freshwater fish production unit.
The fish produced at Rajanna Sircilla’s aqua centre will soon be shipped to the United States and other nations. Three private businesses are investing Rs. 2,000 crores to build the aqua hub at Rajarajeswara Sagar.
More are on the way, including a food processing plant from the international LuLu Group, which just announced its intentions.
All of this has occurred with the State government placing a high premium on the food processing industry since the state’s inception.
There is a constant flow of investments in the food processing industry, thanks to the State government’s support for the expansion of agri-food production units. Since 2014, the food processing sector has produced Rs. 6,864 crores in fixed capital investment, creating over 80,000 job possibilities. So far, over 3,800 units have been created around the state.
Telangana Special Food Processing Zones (TSFPZ) have been established around the state to promote the food processing sector by building 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 firms until March 2023. This is in addition to the 803-acre allotment applications that were being considered.
With the State government hosting the first-ever Food Conclave in April of this year, 28 announcements totalling Rs. 7,218 crores in investments and job opportunities for 58,000 people throughout the State have been added to the list.
Land allotment and other details must be finalised based on the requirements of the firms. A few enterprises may build foundations soon, while others may declare the start of operations, according to a Telangana State Food Processing Society official.
But that’s not all. Last month, Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao proposed the establishment of food processing companies across the state to turn rice into diverse products.
He also announced the development of rice mills overseen by the State Civil Supplies Corporation. Mills for producing rice bran oil would be developed and connected to rice mills. More warehouses will also be built, according to the Chief Minister.
In addition to large-scale clusters, the state government was emphasising the establishment of micro food processing firms, engaging small and microentrepreneurs, particularly SHGs, and providing much-needed assistance.
Starting with the company idea, through the development of a complete project report, to the acquisition of collateral-free bank loans and the installation of equipment, these entrepreneurs received full support. A total of Rs. 36.83 crore in seed cash has been distributed to 9373 SHG members through SERP and MEPMA.
Three Common Incubation Centres for Rs. 8.43 crore are being built. Millets for Hyderabad, Spice Processing in Warangal (Rural), and Mango Processing in Jagtial district are among the incubator facilities.