Telangana launches ‘Grand Challenge’ to boost state’s food processing sector

Hyderabad: In a bid to boost food processing in Telangana, the state government launched the Grand Challenge for Innovation in Food Processing. This challenge, which is a joint effort by the Telangana State Innovation Cell (TSIC) and the Telangana State Food Processing Society (TSFPS), aims to invite startups and innovators from across India to submit their unique value propositions for strengthening food processing in Telangana.

The poster for the Grand Challenge was launched by IT minister K.T. Rama Rao along with other dignitaries.

Speaking on the occasion, minister of Agriculture and co-operation Singireddy Niranjan Reddy emphasised the need for innovation in the agriculture and food processing sectors to make Telangana a leading exporter at a global level.

The Grand Challenge aims to recognise business-to-government (B2G) startups and innovators and give them an opportunity to present their solutions and value propositions to the TSFPS on the pertinent problems faced by the organisation. The objective is to ease the startup-procurement process by the government and enhance the standards of local food processing businesses by inculcating innovation.

The products that will be developed as part of the challenge will focus on aspects of storage, processing machinery, packaging, distribution, quality, and safety checks. They will be developed within a prescribed price limit and will aim to solve problems faced with red chilli, spices, millets, cereals, custard apples, and other commodities.

Dr. Shanta Thoutam, chief innovation officer of Telangana, said, “The Telangana State Innovation Cell is nurturing innovation across the state by spearheading impact-driven initiatives, including this grand challenge to scout affordable innovations in food processing from innovators, startups, women from self-help groups, and youth. The TSIC, along with TSFPS, is happy to contribute towards Telangana heralding the five revolutions addressing both the technical and infra-related gaps with this marquee initiative.”

Telangana’s five revolutions

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Food Conclave 2023, IT and industries minister KTR asserted that Telangana was the best place to invest in the country. He said Telangana was ushering in five revolutions, including in the agriculture sector, dairy, meat, and fisheries, all at once.

“The conclave is not just about exploring trade opportunities but also to make the country a one-stop destination in terms of food production and processing and meet the food needs of the rest of the world,” said the minister.

Assuring that the Food Conclave would be made an annual fixture and would become a go-to destination for all food industry companies, KTR said in-principle interests for MoUs worth Rs. 7,000 crores and creating 50,000 jobs have been announced by companies.

“The state government had identified the food processing sector as one among the 14 thrust sectors to focus on. Telangana today is the seed bowl of India, the poultry capital of India, and it was also a nutraceuticals hub in the past and would regain its position soon. It was also the top state for inland fisheries in the country. The state had doubled the livestock population, especially sheep and goats, and was one of the leaders in the dairy industry as well,” added the minister.

He also stated that there were plenty of opportunities to explore, and Telangana had a dedicated agricultural university, horticultural university, veterinary university, and a forest university with an aqua university too coming up in the state.

“Telangana is not only ushering revolutions in production but an ecosystem for generating a talent pool is also being created for the benefit of industries,” KTR said.

Special food processing zones

To further boost the food processing sector in the state, the government has come up with the unique idea of setting up special food processing zones. “Already, 10,000 acres of land has been acquired. We are ready to roll it out to industries with packaged and customized incentives,” said KTR, adding that TS-IPASS was one of the best policies in the country.

The minister assured that the state government can offer tailor-made incentives for industries. “If the management is willing to share with the government about the offers made by other state governments, Telangana will meet or beat the best offer you got,” he said.

Apart from land parcels and approvals for setting up units, the state government laid emphasis on access to procurement of raw materials for industries. He said that to ensure backward integration, the state government would facilitate local sourcing through 25,000 farmer-produce organisations.

Taking a dig at the BJP government at the Centre, KTR said mere sloganeering of doubling the farmers’ income would not serve the purpose. It has to be backed with policies and economic support. This is what Telangana does, he said.

The minister said, “Paddy production increased from 68 lakh metric tonnes to 2.68 crore tonnes in the state. Similarly, Telangana’s cotton was adjudged as the best by industry. In fact, Vijaya Dairy, the government dairy unit, was in losses when this government had come to office. Vijaya Dairy paid a dividend of Rs. 30 crores in the last few years back to the government. This is the story of Telangana.”

The minister also highlighted the success of the Dalit Bandhu scheme, promoting entrepreneurship among SCs, offering Rs. 10 lakh assistance to each family.