Processing adds value to product, yields more money to farmers, say experts

Food processing not only adds value to the final product, but also helps increase farmers’ income, said speakers at the one-day training programme on food processing held here on Friday (July 4).

The event was organised jointly by Andhra Pradesh Food Processing Society, Rythu Sadhikara Samstha (RySS) and Varahi Federation, with the aim of building a stronger rural India and ensuring the State’s development by strengthening the farmers’ hands.

Society’s secretary Chiranjiv Choudhary spoke about identifying the processing needs of small and medium farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and natural farming aggregators and providing them with information on the equipment available in the market.

“There is a great demand for millet powder and other millet-based food products. The processing equipment are not only available at government subsidy, but also with financing facility from the banking sector”, he said.

RySS team leader Prabhakar saw a great demand in the future for naturally grown food products in view of the growing health consciousness and gave a clarion call to the farmers to take the natural way.