Small-scale agribusiness ventures are a promising way for farmers to increase income and secure better prices for their produce through post-harvest processing and value addition. Farmers can start these businesses as individuals, through Farmers Producer Organizations (FPOs), or Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
As the demand for ready-made and convenience foods has risen, there are increasing opportunities for processed food businesses. Additionally, ventures that process and preserve seasonal fruits and vegetables for year-round use hold great potential. Various policies and government schemes support the growth of micro and small-scale industries by providing basic facilities and assistance through agencies such as the Small Industries Development Corporation (SIDCO), the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), and the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC). National training institutions like the National Institute of Small Industry Extension Training (Hyderabad), the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (New Delhi), and the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (Guwahati) also provide valuable resources and support for starting small-scale businesses.
To begin, entrepreneurs can seek guidance on procedures and financial assistance from district industry centers, while several banks offer loan support. Additionally, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, agricultural colleges, and Krishi Vigyan Kendras offer training and technical assistance.
Below is a list of suggested agri-based products for processing and value addition:
Agricultural Raw Materials and Processing Ideas
- Rice: Instant idiyappam mix, puttu flour, kozhukattai flour, adhirasam mix.
- Wheat: Wheat biscuits, ready-to-make chapati.
- Maize: Sweet and savory snacks, breakfast items.
- Sorghum: Puffed sorghum, snacks, pongal mix.
- Pearl Millet: Porridge mix, ready-to-make millet pongal.
- Finger Millet: Baby food, finger millet pongal mix.
- Pulses (e.g., Toor dal, Urad dal): Instant sambar rice mix, adai mix, idli, dosa mix.
- Green Gram: Fried snacks, curry mixes.
- Groundnut: Oil, roasted peanuts, peanut candy.
- Sesame Seeds: Oil, sesame candy.
- Cotton Seed: Cottonseed milk powder.
- Sugarcane: Ready-to-drink juice, sugarcane-based sweets.
Fruits and Vegetables
- Mango: Juice, jam, candy, pickle, chutney, mango powder.
- Guava: Jelly, juice, canned products.
- Indian Gooseberry: Candy, preserve, pickle, chutney.
- Pomegranate: Ready-to-drink juice.
- Pineapple: Canned food, juice, puree.
- Papaya: Candy, juice, pickle, chutney.
- Grapes: Juice, dried raisins.
- Banana: Dried banana, candy.
- Tomato: Sauce, chutney, paste, soup.
- Cauliflower: Dried cauliflower, pickles.
- Carrot: Milkshake, juice, canned product.
- Cabbage: Dried cabbage.
- Peas: Dried peas, pickles.
- Eggplant: Dried eggplant.
- Green Chili: Pickles.
- Beetroot: Pickles, milkshake.
- Pumpkin: Pumpkin sweets.
- Onion: Instant paste, dried onion.
- Garlic: Instant paste, powder.
- Spinach: Spinach powder, snacks.
- Ginger: Pickles, ginger candy, juice.
- Cucumber: Pickles, dried cucumber.
- Mushroom: Pickles, dried mushrooms.
- Potato: Chips, dried potato, starch.
Beverages and Miscellaneous
- Milk: Preserved milk, butter, ghee, yogurt, milk powder.
- Seafood: Fish powder, dried fish.
- Meat: Preserved meat products.
- Eggs: Egg powder, shell powder.
These are introductory suggestions for agricultural enterprises. Training and technical support can be accessed through Tamil Nadu Agricultural University research centers, agricultural colleges, and other agricultural science institutions.
India’s growing population and rising middle class are increasing demand for food and processed products. By enhancing the agricultural production chain, from farm to consumer, we can reduce dependency on other countries for food in the future. A combination of effort, confidence, hard work, and expert guidance can ensure success in agri-based small businesses.
Dr. A. Rohini, Dr. K. J. Kavitha Sri, Dr. M. Pandiyan, Agricultural College, Eechangkottai, Thanjavur District
