(GIST OF YOJANA) Smart Food Processing in India: Innovation and Future Prospects

(JULY-2024)

The concept ‘Smart Food Processing’ signifies that the post-harvest processing of grains and pulses no longer only serves its traditional purposes such as purification, grinding, or milling but also becomes a driver for health and nutrition. The term is derived from the concept of ‘Smart Cities’ and implies new, creative approaches to developing innovative, future-clean and hygienic Smart Food Processing Technologies. A range of appropriate new modern methods for the health-promoting pre-treatment of staple foodstuffs like grains and pulses that process raw materials under mild conditions are available for developing countries in emerging high-tech and low-resource solutions.

India’s food processing sector is comprised of several leading firms that specialise in a variety of products ranging from confectionery to beverages, and from dairy to snacks. These companies are known for their significant market presence and contribution to the industry. The increased standard of living, changing lifestyle, urbanisation, and growing demand for packaged and self-cooked edible products are the main factors supporting the growth of the industry in the country. The demand for organic, healthy, nutritive, and wellness products is on the rise due to increasing health and hygiene consciousness in the country.

In the manufacturing unit, conveyors are an integral part, as processing efficiency is very much dependent on the steady supply of raw and processed produce to and from the machine. It is crucial to process in real time the information from which the next operation in terms of line speed, loader type, unloader type, joint motion, product type, etc. could be commanded. The end-effectors, too, are vital in the food packing industry, as a wrongly placed label or cap on a container can damage food safety. These components are the main brain or control unit of an automated factory line. The unit must have ‘Synchronised Motion Control’ where in-motion measurements and adaptability are must-have features.

In addition, sensors can monitor, analyse and report changes from point-to-point devices’ also organise the transfer of active materials such as heating machines and cooling. Furthermore, the device gives a hint about the position of the farm product, storage status, and future approach.
When a change is detected, the manufacturer or overseas food service provider can offer transaction services. It can improve the properties and requirements of this item and report results. The added value of the commodity can help farmers, manufacturers, retailers, and customers by continuing to use the services of continued maintenance and logistics,
performance management offerings, and other critical promotional customer services in terms of needed business functions. At the end of an IoT implementation, according to the scenario, a result will be achieved, and overall operational processes and supplies can be improved.

Agrifood Products from a global standpoint, the production and consumption of the food chain are under the spotlight for various reasons, such as guaranteeing the food safety level, enhancing market orientation, ensuring food quality, and ultimately protecting the typical local product identity. The key challenge for today’s supply chain includes the extraction of the source producing food items, and artificial intelligence (Al) can indeed address these challenges. Using Al, local identity is always preserved, and traceability is improved because the origin of food items is recognisable.

Robotics in food handling promises safer outcomes than manual handling for personnel exposed to allergens and washing accidents and ensures speed, continuous work, and custom machining, along with minimal stress for the processing of non-uniform natural products. However, the current generation of robots amounts to large investments that are far from desirable for most food processing entities. On one hand, innovative advancements are underway to ensure that these machines are not fixed to serve specific and simple operations.

Agricultural processing includes the utilization of farm outputs for the non-food sector. Food and agricultural processing activities involve the packaging, canning, fermenting, freezing, drying, cooking, mincing, cutting, steaming, baking, brewing, distilling, and grinding of food products. Additionally, processing is also directed towards some of the services the company provides, like cleaning, sorting, and grinding. This support occurs during the processing implementation of some of the top food product like milk, oil, fruits, vegetables, meat, and fish.

Food processing is one of the sectors that has immense potential for transforming the lives of people and contributing to the national economy. Only with organised state intervention can the food processing industry in the region have a share in the global market. Small units can exploit their time-tested products in the food sector by utilising available raw materials and having easy access to production techniques, marketing, and after; services.

In the last three decades, ready-to-eat meals, juices, ice creams, bakery products, and other convenience foods have become popular in households. This is mainly due to the organised way of production, packaging, distribution, etc., as well as mass educational and industrial development levels. Both rural and urban development have created reserves of good-quality fruits, vegetables, and some processed foods that can be used as important raw materials for food processing. However, the present status is quite bleak, as a major part of the reserved produce goes to waste. Although a number of traditional savoury and sweet products are being sold in local markets, there is still a need for systematic growth in the domestic and international markets.