What makes us salivate at the prospect of our favourite foods? REENA JHAVERI looks at the prospects in food processing
Sector overview
We have come a long way from food being cooked in the kitchen and served in the dining room. In fact, on the lighter side one could consider the anecdote – if a few decades ago a cook approached a girl’s father to ask her hand in marriage, he would be cordially thrown out of the house, but today, say an award winning chef shows up at a father’s doorstep for the same purpose, he will be welcomed with open arms. That’s how far the food industry has come.
In fact, delicacies and bottled goodies from all over the world are available at your doorstep, as authentic as ever. Similarly, good from India are available across the globe, including locally. Research reports state that India’s food processing industry is expected to cross Rs. 4,00,000 crore soon.
Apart from exposure due to globalisation and internet accessibility, increasing urbanisation of even tier II and tier III cities as well as a higher percentage of disposable income in middle class homes has triggered the growth of this industry, a major part of which operates in the unorganised sector. This had provided impetus for various players, both big and small, to try their hands at supplying packaged goods for meeting the demands.
Exposure to television is yet another factor that one cannot ignore. With many enthusiasts clued in to specialty channels and food shows, the demand for ingredients and ready pastes, powders and gravies that go into different recipes has shot up within the last few years.
The Confederation of Indian Industry’s annual event Foodpro plays a role in developing the food processing industry in India. It provides the platform for interface between the food technology sector and the food industry. This drives the demand for trained and interested personnel in the field.
To get there
For a long time, many interested people have broken into this field without any professional training or qualifications, but they say that learning on the job was a difficult prospect. They did it because they had no other alternative. Today, several options are available to aspirants, to gain a degree and then seek entry into the field. Professionals say that a qualification definitely adds to the resume.
The eligibility for the course is passing the class 12 exam (HSC or equivalent) with physics, chemistry and biology. Some of the colleges offering courses in food processing also conduct entrance exams, so be sure you find out the eligibility requirements of the particular institute you are interested in joining.
The most plausible option is the Bachelor of Science in Home Science/ Food Technology/ Food Science. After BSc, those who want to study further to delve into research can also opt for an MSc or a management option in food technology.
Apart from these, numerous short-term certificate, craft and diploma courses are on offer by various polytechnics, food craft institutes and universities. The Ministry of Food and Civil Supplies has several Food and Nutrition Extension Centres in different parts of the country providing short-term courses and training in home-based preservation of fruits and vegetables, preparation of bakery and confectionery items, rice milling, oil seed processing etc.
The job market
Although it seems like we always lived with such options for pre-packaged and other foods, the fact remains that the industry is still relatively new in India. This is also because until very recently, Indians would not be able to fully trust packaged food as an option for regular meals. It was accepted as a one off thing, but not more than that.
Today, the young urban population is increasingly looking at such options for regular meals, especially those who work/ study away from home and do not have access to home cooked meals. It is no surprise that even large MNCs have shown interest in this field and owing to that, the career opportunities in this industry have really gone up a lot. Trained professionals are required to cater to the exponentially growing urban population in the country.
This industry looks at hiring professionals on various levels, and different positions as well as job descriptions. There is a need for researchers, who are scientists looking at probably enhancing the yield from the crops, or even the flavour or nutritive value of the food. Technology workers are needed to innovate technology for longer shelf-life and preservation, and also reducing the processing time and activities. They may also look into procedure compliance. Engineers work on planning and improving the processing systems and units. They also lend their hand for maintenance. Chemists help with other appropriate procedures.
Remuneration
With the work, varies the compensation. The factors on which the level of compensation depends, include education qualifications, skills and work experience. Further, pay packets are also governed by the size of the company as well as the processing unit. The location of the unit and the amount of travel also matter.
A newcomer at the professional level can make anywhere between Rs. 22,000 and Rs. 30,000 per month. With a few years of experience under your belt, the earning can go up to Rs. 50,000 or Rs. 60,000. Senior management persons with experience can pocket very high salaries.
There are many well known companies working in this sector, and several new and upcoming as well. These include Britannia Industries limited, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, Parle Agro, Nestle India, Cadbury India Limited, Kwality Dairy India Limited, Rasna International Private limited, Vadilal Industries Limited, MTR foods and REI Agro Limited.
This is quite a niche field and may require long hours of standing. Aspirants need to understand the various requirements of the sector and analyse their aptitude as well as skill sets to determine whether they will be able to survive in the food processing sector.
A student says
Mary Ancy / Pursuing her course
You can choose any course in this field, and I suggest that you choose one which will help you secure the kind of job you want to do in future. Looking at your aptitude and interests is imperative, since this is not a general graduation degree where you can switch options after putting in three years of study.
When I joined my study programme, lots of members of my family and a few friends (who think they are quite practical and logical) asked me why a person needs to learn anything about food processing. They think that way because they feel that everything related to food begins with cooking and ends with eating. Their so-called practical and logical thoughts do not make them realise that before they consume the biscuit, they open the packet which has been bought from a store, where it has reached via some form of transport. I am not even getting into the details of production. That’s why, education is important, to open your mind to the less obvious things.
An important aspect of doing a course is that it introduces the learners to causes and methods of control of food spoilage, apart from understanding the principles and techniques of food preservation, processing and packaging. My course helped me to understand the application of preservation and processing technology to different foods.
In the field
Saheli Bhatavdekar / Professional
Any field that is related to food has to be versatile, it cannot be monotonous, it’s food! Often, it can be quite challenging as well. The challenges faced by professionals in this field vary from day to day and project to project.
At the point of time a new product is thought of or developed, professionals have to take into consideration that the taste palette of a vast denomination of the customers can vary from that of an individual. Professionals also have to think about production and processing time, transport, as well as shelf life, along with the availability in target markets and cost. This in itself is a trying situation for a person.
In addition, the supply chain department need to ensure that the product reaches intact and in good condition at the destination and within time. Now, with social media and online purchasing being so rampant, consumers are extremely aware of situations, and will promptly drop you and your product if they are not satisfied. Professionals also think of new range products, like health products with those with specific issues.
An aspirant asks
Harshada Patkar, Home science student
I know that I want to make a future in food, but the problem is that I cannot cook well! I am distraught that I cannot become a chef, but my parents are encouraging me not to give up on the idea and look at other career in food processing. I feel that the jobs depend on the place you are in, as well as what sectors are opening to hiring. I want to pursue a course, but please advise further about the field.
Professional Saheli Bhatavdekar answers: Well, there is no sure shot way of looking at a very niche kind of job from day one. You should always be ready for what comes your way, and also adapt yourself to those jobs which are popular and are looking to hire. This is because even though a course helps you with the technical knowledge and expertise, a large part in learnt on the job.
I would advise you to try and set up a meeting with a professional in the field, and talk to him or her about the daily activities and the common factors between all jobs, and then see what works for you. A few things you could work in are improving your abilities to visualise food, and to work towards hygiene, as well as look at the product you work on as a food product, rather than just sales figures. That will help. Apart from that, you need to be conscientious and meticulous, and look into your organisational skills, since if you do not display these skills, you are likely not to do well. Also, think that you will be looking at the health of others through your work.
