Agro processing industries in Haryana: Status, problems and prospects

Agro processing assumed vital importance particularly in a state like Haryana where agriculture production has reached on plateau. Its importance became more elevated when employment opportunities in rural areas are squeezed. This paper analysed the growth of village level agro industries for different periods and also prioritized the factors hindering agro industrialization in Haryana. It is evident from the results traditional processing of village oil ghani, and jaggery and khandsari not keeping pace with time whereas cereal and pulses processing industries and fruits preservation and processing gaining movement in recent period. Nonetheless, the period of twenties indicating that village level processing is coming back on track. The situation is owing to development and adoption of suitable post-harvest machinery particularly for pulse milling, oil extraction and jaggery recovery. The growth of village level processing is constrained by factors such as procedural complexity in land acquisition and higher prices, insufficient finance for small entrepreneurs, lack of skill and awareness, higher cost of machinery and poor support on marketing and policy front. Hence, a comprehensive strategy which include development of physical, functional and market infrastructure along with provision of single window system, tax rebate and export subsidy need to develop to boost agro processing in the state.