Monday, 26 July, 2021, 08 : 00 AM [IST] In India, food processing has a long way to go, to minimise wastage of fresh produce and also to create a sustainable livelihood for our farmers. The state and Central governments are supporting the food processing sector through multiple Mega Food Parks and cold chain units, states Prabhu Gandhikumar, co-founder, TABP Snacks and Beverages, in an email interaction with Nandita Vijay. He also divulges his companyâs plans for raising funds and expansion. Excerpts: How would you describe the current scene in food processing in India? Food processing in India is in its infancy. Hardly 4% of the fruits and vegetables in India are being processed compared to the 40% to 50% of the fruits and vegetables that are getting processed in the Western world. In India, food processing has a long way to go, to minimise wastage of fresh produce and also to create a sustainable livelihood for our farmers. The state and Central governments are supporting the food processing sector through multiple mega food parks and cold chain units. Food processing chain needs to be made stronger for the economic well-being of our country. This can be possibly achieved by encouraging farmer produce companies in a smaller scale, for instance, opening up of a small processing unit in Mettupalayam. This cluster doubles up as a storehouse for vegetables that are grown in the Nilgiris to be stored. If we can have a processing unit set up in this pocket with a capacity to process about 10 to 15 tonne of vegetables a day, it would offer respite, for access to fruits and vegetables that are seasonal.