Summary:
He said that the government, by ways of agribusiness incubation centres, is also directing youngsters towards entrepreneurship. Trichy: Post-harvest processing of agriculture produces will open up several opportunities for entrepreneurial ventures, said A Amudhasurabi, head of department of technology dissemination, Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology (IIFPT), on Monday.Addressing management students of Bharathidasan University, as part of a week-long training programme on rural entrepreneurship in agriculture and allied sectors, he said food processing industry is growing at the rate of 7% per year.He said, two-thirds of the total area in Tamil Nadu is under cultivation. Easy availability of agriculture produce, especially in the rural parts, is throwing opportunities for young graduates from this region.“With a little investment and by taking calculated risks, students irrespective of their discipline can take up entrepreneurial ventures in rural areas and make it successful,” said Amudhasurabi.As of now, agribusiness is limited to agriculture inputs and there is a need to focus on post-harvest commodity manufacturing, he said.Stating that tomato, onion, coconut and millets have high commercial importance, Amudhasurabi said that institutes like IIFPT are ready to provide much needed technology support for the young minds.He said that premier management institutions like IIM are offering specialised programmes on food processing and stressed on the need for such programmes in other management institutions as well.There is a good market opportunity in production of organic fertilizers, said R Gopinath from M S Swaminathan Research foundation, Chennai..