Food processing is a priority sector for Haryana government which is keen to encourage investment in the agro-processing sector. The state government has taken several initiatives and the thrust is to create best infrastructure for growth of agro- and food- processing industry. Provisions have been made for food parks, cold chain facilities, food testing laboratories, human resource development etc.
The state government has enacted the Industrial Promotion Act and made rules to provide time-bound clearances and approvals by the concerned department/authority. District and state-level committees have been constituted to grant such approvals. The self-certification scheme has been introduced in respect of labour laws to avoid unnecessary inspections. Outside bodies have been authorised to grant approvals for building plans, certification of weights and measures, etc.
The government of India, ministry of food processing industries, is setting up the prestigious National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship & Management at Kundli in Sonepat district at a cost of Rs 245 crore.
Two food parks at Rai, Sonepat and Saha, Ambala have been developed by the Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation. Industrial plots are allotted to food processing industries. A food park in joint sector is being developed by the Central Warehousing Cold Chain Ltd at Kundli. An irradiation centre has been developed in private sector at Bahalgarh, Sonepat, which provides facilities that increase shelf-life of food products. Laboratories are being set up at test food products as per international standards.
In Haryana, in total more than 210 food processing and agro-based industries in large and medium sector have been set up with an investment of Rs 1,216 crore and are providing direct employment to over 50,000 persons. A large number of SSI units have also come up in food processing industries.
Areas for future investment include: Food and vegetable products; dairy products; food packaging; food process technology; and cereals processing.