Assam Food Processing Policy: Analysing The State's Initiatives To Boost Food

Assam Food Processing Policy has transformed an agriculture-rich state into a food processing hub due to diversity in agricultural products, rich water resources and skilled labour.

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The state is the primary entrance to Northeast India. The state shares its borders with seven regions, namely Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and West Bengal. It also shares borders with two neighbouring countries, Bangladesh and Bhutan. The state has been abundantly blessed by nature, with the mighty Brahmaputra River flowing through its centre, the Barak River in the south, and its tributaries offering plentiful water resources. Furthermore, the dense forest cover is home to a diverse range of bamboo and medicinal plants. The fertile valleys and hilly slopes support the cultivation of tea gardens, horticultural crops, and essential food grains. 69% of Assam's entire workforce is engaged in agricultural pursuits, which is significantly higher than the national average of 54.6%. All these factors together make Assam an attractive destination for the food processing industry.

Assam’s Agriculture Sector: The Backbone of the Food Processing Industry

The agricultural sector of Assam is robust, with 69% of the entire workforce involved in agricultural pursuits. This number is higher than the national average, which stands at 54.6%. It has a significant Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of USD 69.39 billion. The state hosts dedicated tea parks, food processing parks, and four oil refineries. The key sectors of the state include food processing and the bamboo industry. It presents a wide range of opportunities in the food processing sector, which includes ready-to-eat products, processed spices, and ready-to-drink beverages such as coffee and tea. The state holds numerous prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tags for 'Assam Orthodox Tea'. The rich and biodiverse agricultural resources have the ability to feed a range of food processing industries covering fruits, vegetables, beverages, and ready-to-eat products.

Advantage Assam: Earmarking The Significant Milestones