TS Food Processing

Vision

The Government aims to maximize the value of agricultural, aqua, poultry, and livestock resources by creating a strong ecosystem for production, processing, trading, and distribution of food products. The goal is to support farmers, producers, and consumers by promoting high-quality food processing infrastructure and global standards.

This initiative also focuses on strengthening the state’s role in the national food supply chain and ensuring sustainable growth in the agri-food sector.


Key Objectives of the Policy

The policy focuses on building a strong food processing ecosystem in Telangana with the following objectives:

  • Support the national mission of doubling farmers’ income

  • Develop world-class food processing capacity for key agricultural commodities

  • Encourage collaboration between government, industry, and academic institutions

  • Establish Telangana as a reliable supplier of high-quality agri-food products

  • Position the state as a major food distribution hub in India

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, has set a national target to increase food processing levels from 10% to 20% and significantly expand investments in the sector.

Aligned with this vision, Telangana aims to:

  • Generate over 1,25,000 employment opportunities

  • Contribute ₹10,000+ crore to the state economy through food processing

  • Increase the capital investment in the food processing sector by ₹10,000 crore


Strategic Action Plan

To achieve these targets, several initiatives have been planned:

  • Establishment and modernization of food processing units

  • Development of commodity-based processing clusters

  • Creation and promotion of food parks

  • Strengthening logistics and supply chain infrastructure

  • Support for large-scale food processing projects

  • Encouraging innovation and industry best practices

Food processing is also integrated with the broader state industrial policy, which includes support for logistics, retail infrastructure, renewable energy, and skill development.

Government schemes in agriculture, fisheries, dairy, and animal husbandry further complement these efforts by improving productivity, technology adoption, and market efficiency.


Major Support Schemes

The policy provides financial assistance, infrastructure support, and operational incentives for both new and existing food processing units.

Key support areas include:

  • Development and expansion of food processing industries

  • Establishment of processing clusters

  • Promotion of food parks

  • Supply chain and logistics infrastructure development

  • On-farm processing and preservation infrastructure

  • Innovation and technology adoption


Incentives for Food Processing Units

The Government of Telangana encourages both new projects and expansion of existing food processing industries.

Key Incentives

Eligible projects can receive:

  • Capital subsidy: 35% of project cost up to ₹4 crore

  • Interest subsidy: Up to 9% on term loans for 5 years (maximum ₹2 crore)

Eligibility Conditions

Units must meet certain conditions such as:

  • Compliance with recognized quality certifications like HACCP, BRC, etc.

  • Procurement of at least 75% raw materials from local farmers

  • Minimum 35% annual capacity utilization

  • Implementation of micronutrient fortification where applicable

Additional benefits include:

  • 100% exemption from APMC fees for direct procurement from farmers

  • Classification of food processing units as seasonal industries (electricity demand relief during non-operational periods)

  • Electricity duty exemption for captive power plants for up to 5 years

Eligible Industries

The scheme applies to most food processing industries except:

  • Rice mills (except certain rice bran oil units)

  • Aerated beverage plants

  • Packaged drinking water units

  • Pan masala units

  • Traditional jaggery units

  • Ice factories not connected to food processing

Eligible applicants may include:

  • Private companies

  • Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)

  • Joint ventures

  • Cooperatives

  • NGOs and Self-Help Groups

  • Government organizations and public sector units

  • Individual entrepreneurs with suitable land


Development of Food Processing Clusters

The government promotes the development of commodity-based clusters to strengthen the entire food value chain.

Each cluster is managed through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) formed with participation from:

  • Government departments

  • Industry partners

  • Research institutions

  • Academic organizations

Activities of Cluster SPVs

Cluster organizations may undertake:

  • Establishing demonstration facilities using advanced processing technology

  • Training farmers and traders in modern production, packaging, and marketing techniques

  • Facilitating technology transfer and access to improved crop varieties

  • Providing consultancy, legal support, and market intelligence

  • Identifying public-private partnership projects

Additional Cluster Incentives

Units located in designated clusters may receive:

  • Capital subsidy up to ₹10 crore

  • Interest subsidy on loans for 5 years

  • Additional ₹1 per unit electricity rebate

Potential clusters may include:

  • Export-focused food clusters

  • Organic food clusters

  • Health and super-food clusters

  • HALAL-certified food clusters

Commodity clusters may include:

  • Turmeric

  • Chillies

  • Maize

  • Dairy

  • Meat

  • Fisheries

  • Fruits and vegetables


Development of Food Parks

To promote integrated food processing infrastructure, the government supports the development of food parks.

Financial Support

  • 50% capital subsidy

  • Maximum support up to ₹50 crore, calculated based on land size (₹1 crore per acre)

Units established within food parks may also receive:

  • Additional electricity rebate for 5 years

These benefits are applicable for projects supported under the KISAN SAMPADA Scheme of the Government of India.


Logistics and Supply Chain Infrastructure

The policy encourages the development of modern infrastructure for handling and distributing perishable agricultural produce.

Supported Infrastructure

  • Warehouses

  • Silos

  • Pack houses

  • Cold storage units

  • Pre-cooling facilities

  • Frozen storage and deep freezer facilities

  • Irradiation and vapor treatment facilities

Financial Assistance

  • 35% subsidy up to ₹10 crore for warehouses and storage infrastructure

  • 50% subsidy up to ₹10 crore for advanced preservation facilities

These projects may also be developed under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models.


Support for Mega Food Processing Projects

Projects with:

  • Investment above ₹100 crore, or

  • Employment generation of more than 1,500 people

will be recognized as Mega Projects.

Such projects may receive customized incentives under the Telangana Industrial Policy.


Promotion of Innovation and Best Practices

The government encourages innovation and entrepreneurship in the agri-food sector through:

  • Venture capital support for food technology startups

  • Collaboration between industry and academic institutions

  • Participation in global and domestic certification programs

Food processing units may receive:

  • 50% subsidy up to ₹5 lakh for obtaining quality certifications.

The state also promotes international exhibitions and technology events in Hyderabad to showcase innovations in food processing and agri-food technologies.

 SS Industrial Consultancy assists businesses in:

  • Food processing project setup

  • Government approvals and licenses

  • Subsidy and scheme applications

  • Food park project development

  • Industrial project consulting