Food processing

Geography glossary

Also called: Agro-processing · Topic: Secondary Activities: Manufacturing and Industrial Location · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 5 "Secondary Activities"

Meaning

Food processing turns farm produce into food products that last longer or are ready to eat. Modern methods include canning, making cream, fruit processing and making confectionery (sweets). Drying, fermenting and pickling are ancient methods. Before the Industrial Revolution they served only a small demand. Food processing is a part of agro-based industry. Many food inputs, such as milk and fruit, spoil quickly, so processing units are usually set up close to where the food is produced.

Example

At Anand in Gujarat, dairy plants process milk collected from nearby village cooperatives into butter, cheese and milk powder. Milk spoils fast, so the dairies are close to the milk supply.

Don't confuse with

  • Agro-based industries: this is the wider group. It also includes non-food goods such as cotton textiles, jute and rubber.

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