Agro Processing and Value Addition for Entrepreneurship Development

The book contains knowledge and skills on the basic steps to develop organize and manage an agro processing business venture along with any of its risks in order to make a profit. Entrepreneurial spirit is characterized by innovation and risk-taking, and is an essential component of a nation's ability to succeed in an ever changing and increasingly competitive global marketplace. The promotion of value addition in the agricultural sector through agro-processing activities is generally reckoned to be one of the most efficient policies that can be enforced to achieve sustainable economic growth. Investments in agro-processing are known to have significant multiplier effects, due to the forward and backward linkages in the productive chains of the sector. The benefits of agro processing business are employment generation, higher income, value addition, improvement in food product quality, nutritional security and the possibility of efficient operation at least on small scales. Considering the need of the hour it was felt to bring out a publication on agro processing for entrepreneurship development. Various resource persons across the nation were contacted and requested to provide write up on agro processing and related area that would lead to entrepreneurship expansion. The chapters were compiled and edited to suit the purpose of the publication. The book discusses about the basic concepts of establishing agro processing industry, technology used in the food processing, equipment involved the establishment of agro processing centre, different crops available for taking up agro processing activities and value addition, financial feasibility and the profits that can be gained from the activities. It is useful to students, instructors, researchers, food processing industry personnel, policy maker and to all those who are interested in entrepreneurship development from agricultural processing and allied sectors.