Food processing industry can generate 320,000 jobs in Uttarakhand: Study

Says in five years, about 30,000 direct and about 290,000 indirect jobs could be generated

Adoption of an integrated approach to facilitate development of an agriculture and food processing industry in Uttarakhand can create 320,000 additional employment opportunities. In five years, about 30,000 direct and about 290,000 indirect jobs could be generated, said a study by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India.

"With the two mega food parks - one in Haridwar and one in Udham Singh Nagar district - expected to start within next four years, it is likely to contribute about Rs 6,000 crore (including ancillary and support units' contributions) to Uttarakhand's gross state domestic product," said the study, Food Processing Opportunities in Uttarakhand.

The study was released by P K Jain, chairman of Assocham's national council on MSMEs, and the chamber's Secretary-General D S Rawat on Thursday.

It said promoting the food processing sector will emerge as the cornerstone to raise the contribution of agriculture and allied activities in Uttarakhand's GSDP from 13 per cent to about 25 per cent over a 10-year period.

Farmers must be encouraged to adopt fruit cultivation by adopting simple value-addition techniques, it said.