Opportunities in Food Processing and
Agribusinesses: India had established itself as one of the world's fastest-growing economies. The rural areas
are the most important economic and demographic components of the country, and path of 'sustainable' economic growth starts from there itself. The rural
belt have to become thriving hubs of economic activities with the youth playing key role in the overall prosperity of the rural community Youth in rural society are the engine of growth of the rural economy. They can fuel the progress
and growth of rural economy if proper guidance upport, motivation and right opportunities are given to them. The entrepreneurial potential of rural youth, as source of employment creation and
economic growth, represents an important area of opportunity for Government to invest in rural youth. Creating an entrepreneurial spirit amongst the rural youth by providing them right mix of knowledge, technical & managerial skills, and mentoring through proper entrepreneurial policy framework can bring entrepreneurship-driven
development which is more sustainable than traditional development approaches.
There is considerable potential for promoting
entrepreneurship in food processing
agribusiness in the rural areas. The involvement of rural youth in agribusiness and food pentrepreneurship can make India a world leader in the food processing sector. The food processing
involves any type of value addition to agricultural produce including primary processing such as grading, sorting and packaging to increase marketability of food products. Whereas, secondary
food processing involves the value addition by transforming raw produce from its original state to a more valuable state with enhanced food quality
safety and shelf life. The food processing and value addition activities predominantly offers a means to
increase, rejuvenate and stabilize rural income and beyond that it ensures availability of food products throughout the year and add to food security by minimizing food wastage.
