Skill Requirement and Human Resource in Food Processing & Post Harvest Technology

Abstract

Food processing industry is highly significant for India’s development because of the vital linkages and synergies, it promotes between the two pillars of our economy, industry and agriculture. In India, the food sector has emerged as a high-growth and high profit, sector due to its immense potential for value addition, particularly within the food processing industry. Accounting for about 32 percent of the country’s total food market, the food processing industry is one of the largest industries in India and is ranked fifth in terms of production, consumption, export and expected growth. The total food production in India is likely to double in the next 10 years with the country’s domestic food market estimated to reach USD 258 billion. It is estimated that India’s overall food consumption will be 23 lakh crore by 2030. This is the only industry that can ensure food security, inclusive growth and sustainable development for the country. The industry employs 13 million people directly and 35 million people indirectly. It accounts for 14% of manufacturing GDP, nearly 13% of India’s export and 6% of total industrial export. Several skill gaps exist in various stages of the food processing value chain that need to be addressed. Make in India cannot happen without skilling the country’s workforce. Consequently, Finance Minister announced the setting up of 1,500 multi skill training institute. Entrepreneurship education and training will be provided through 2,200 colleges, 300 schools, 500 industrial training institutes and 50 vocational training institutes through open online courses. (Union budget 2016-17) Paper for presentation in 5^th, the Greater Mekong Sub region International Conference 2018 on “The Knowledge Discovery of Management Science and Economics for Development in GMS” to be held at NBS Nong Khai Business School, Rajapark Institute, Bangkok, Thailand 6^th July, 2018