Food processing

In the last four years, 3.85 lakh job opportunities have been created in the Food processing sector and another 4 lakh new jobs will be created by the end of this financial year, as per the Union ministry. The government is going to set up a special Non-banking Financial Institution (NBFC) to finance and develop this Food processing sector. In this context, let's find out about career opportunities!

The Food processing sector is thriving due to the tastes of modern lifestyle, increasing Food production and storage capacity. It includes techniques and methods used to convert raw materials into food. The rapidly expanding field of Science, Engineering, etc,. provides employment opportunities for people of all backgrounds. ‘The value of all agricultural products is going to change tremendously in the future. Food production in the country is set to become one of the major industries', said Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, indicating the bright future of the sector in the years to come.

The relationship between Agriculture and Manufacturing industries is directly and indirectly creating a lot of jobs in the Food processing sector. Moreover, our country is the second largest Food producer in the world. Due to the growing health consciousness, there is likely to be a growing demand for healthy, variety of Food products and the professionals who can provide them in the coming years.

The main courses in this sector are Food production, Transportation, Storage, Preservation, Packaging, Canning, use of modern Machinery, Research, etc,. These courses provide knowledge about the Food industry.

Employment opportunities:

✽ Experts predict that Food production in the country is likely to double in the near future. So, the popularity for those who have a degree in Food processing will increase. They have opportunities in Canning, Dairy and Food processing, Packaging, Frozen food/ Refrigeration and Thermo processing industries. Fruits and Vegetables Processing, Fisheries, Milk and Milk products, Meat and Poultry, Alcoholic Beverages, Soft drinks, Grain processing are some of the sub-sectors in the field of Food processing. Apart from these, there are job opportunities in Bakery, Chocolates, Cocoa products, Soy, Mineral water, High protein foods, Soft beverages, Alcoholic beverages, Non- alcoholic fruit beverages etc,.

✽ There are plenty of job opportunities for freshers and experienced professionals in this field. Managers, Food technologists, Engineering graduates are getting better opportunities. Graduates in this field can find better salaries in Food processing companies, Food research laboratories, Hospitals, Catering establishments, Retailers, Food wholesalers and Restaurants. Jobs are available in various fields such as Milk products, Greens, Fruits and Vegetables, Fisheries, Confectionery, Beverages, Packaged/ Convenience foods, Plantation products, Food Supplements. Companies select them for the posts of Bacteriologist, Toxicologist, Food Technologist, Food Batch maker, Food Cooking Machine Operator and Tender, Baker, Analyticalist, Chemist, Research Scientist, Biochemist, Engineer(Mechanical, Electrical, Agricultural, Chemical, Civil, Industrial)s, Home Economists, Managers, Accountants etc,.

Leading Companies to choose from…

✽ Dabur India, Amul, MTR, ITC Ltd., Agrotech Foods, Parle Products Pvt. Ltd., Cadbury India Ltd., Nestle India, PepsiCo India, Britannia Industries, Hindustan Unilever, Godrej etc,.

✽ Salaries depend on education, experience and skills. Freshers can earn INR. 2.5- 3 lakhs per annum and experienced professionals can earn from INR. 4 to 5.5 lakhs per annum.

In Telugu states...

Some Universities that offer admission through EAMCET rank...

✽ Acharya NG Ranga University

✽ University College‌ of Technology

✽ Osmania University

✽ Aurora Technological and Research Institute- Hyderabad

✽ College of Food and Science Technology- Bapatla

✽ Vignan University- Guntur

Some of the Institutions that offer B.Sc- Food Technology courses…

Which courses…?

❐ There are Diploma, Certificate, Degree and Doctoral courses available. The course duration varies from course to course depending on the college/ university.

Certificate Course:

❐ Certificate Course in Food Processing and Preservation

Doctoral Courses:

❐ Ph.D in Food Technology/ Biotechnology/ Food Preservation‌

Diploma Courses:

❐ Diploma in Food Processing

❐ Diploma in Food Preservation

❐ Diploma in Food Processing and Technology

Bachelor's Courses (Three / Four years):

❐ B.Sc in Home Science/ Food Technology

Food Science:

❐ B.Tech in Food Processing and Technology

Master's Degree (two years):

❐ M.Sc in Home Science/ Food Technology/ Food and Nutrition/ Biotechnology

❐ M.Tech in Home Science/ Food Technology/ Food and Nutrition/ Biotechnology

Eligibility criteria and Admissions:

❐ Those who want to do a certificate course in Food processing must have passed the tenth class. Those who want to do Bachelor‌ courses should study Science Groups (MPC/ BiPC) in 10+2. Admission can also be obtained through JEE Mains. Those who want to do M.Sc, M.Tech should have completed Bachelor's degree in Science. Those who want to enter these courses will have to write the GATE exam. Some private universities offer their own specialized entrance exams.

Some of the leading Universities providing admissions...