Agro Based Industries: Features, List, Types, in India, Examples

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Agro Based Industries: Features, List, Types, Importance, Examples

Akansha Akshara

Updated on 27th June, 2024 , 5 min read

Agriculture is a major sector in India which has led to agro based industries. These industries have agricultural products in the raw or processed form as their main product. These products are either plant-based or animal-based and also includes activities as well as services used in agricultural processes. Agriculture sector is responsible for 17% of India's total GDP and employs around 60% workforce of India. These industries through employed workforce convert agricultural raw inputs into marketable processed products.

Agro Based Industries: List of India's agro based industries

The table below lists the agro based industries in India:

List of India's agro based industries

Tea and Coffee Dairy IndustryPoultrySugar IndustryTextile Industry
Pulses and Cereals Processing IndustryEdible Oils IndustryBiofuel IndustryRubber IndustryLeather Industry
Vegetable and Fruit Processing Units (pickles, chips, jams, etc)Palm Oil IndustryRice MillsJute IndustryPaper Industry

Types of Agro Based Industries

Agriculture and industry combine to form agro based industries. Though agriculture and industry are two sectors which are very different agro based industries bring these two sectors together to increase the profit rate of agricultural products. The types of agro based industries in India are as follows:

  • Agro-produce processing units
  • Agro inputs manufacturing units
  • Agro produce manufacturing units
  • Agro service centers

Agro-produce processing units

Agro-produce processing units are not manufacturing units instead they are processing units which process agro-based raw products preserving them for later use. Another focus of this type of industry is implementing ways in which agricultural raw material byproducts can be used for other things. A few examples of agro-produce processing units are Dal and Rice processing mills, exfoliating units for groundnuts and seed plants, etc. 

Agro inputs manufacturing units

Agro-input manufacturing units are involved in producing goods that assist in agricultural productivity and agricultural mechanisation. Agro-inputs are those materials which are used for producing agricultural as well as related products either biological, chemical, or organic. The following are the agricultural inputs in India which are used in such units:

  • In-organic fertilizers
  • Seeds of various varieties and high-yield hybrid seeds
  • Pesticides such as insecticides, fungicides, nematicides, and herbicides
  • Animal & Poultry feed
  • Manufacturing  of Micronutrients and Plant Growth Regulators
  • Manufacturing of agricultural equipment and machinery

Agro produce manufacturing units

These units focus on the manufacture of totally new products while using agricultural raw materials for primary raw materials. The final product and the original raw material are entirely different. The following are the main Indian agro-produce manufacturing units:

  • Sugar factories
  • Textile mills
  • Paper mills
  • Textile units
  • Leather and rubber factories

Agro-Service Centers

Agro-service centers focus on the fixing and maintenance of farm equipment. It deals with agro or farm equipment like pump sets, tractors, diesel engines, etc.

Importance of Agro Based Industries in India

The rural-based economy of India is a reflection if its large population living in rural areas. India's rural economy is made by the combination of agricultural subsector and non-agricultural subsector. The agro based industries in India is important because of the following reasons:

  • The agro-based industry impacts the traditional production as well as distribution patterns which are substituted by properly planned and synced linkages between the different parties in the supply chains.
  • It also protects the farmers from being mistreated or exploited as it brings direct earning opportunities to them without involving any traders or middlemen.
  • The eating habits of India population has changed with the development of middle class and rising preference in eating packaged and ready-to-eat foods, which demands for the development of agro based industries.
  • It is crucial in the development of rural population of India by offering them direct employment possibilities which helps improve their economic condition. It also widens the scope for demand-based industries.
  • The rising development of agro based industries also helps in improving rural infrastructure facilities. 
  • Processing agricultural products at the place of agricultural production, brings a decrease in transportation costs and costs of final goods.

Significant Agro Based Industries in India

The following are the major significant agro based industries in India:

  • Textile Industry
  • Sugar Industry
  • Tea Industry 
  • Leather Goods Industry
  • Vegetable Oil Industry
  • Coffee Industry

Textile Industry

The textile industry is an agro based industry focusing on yarn, fabrics, and clothing. This industry is responsible for the manufacture, marketing, and distribution of these products. Woolen, cotton, synthetic, and jute textiles are some of the textiles which this industry produces. The textile industry is important for Indian economy as it is the second largest employer. It adds 7% to the total industrial output and 2% to the nation's GDP. The cotton textile sector is a boon to 5.8 million cotton farmers and 40-50 million people which are related to the activities of the cotton textile industry. 

Sugar Industry

Secondary to textile industry, sugar industry is the largest agro based industry in India. It is an employer to 500,000 sugar mill workers and supports the livelihood of 50 million sugarcane farmers. India is the world's largest producer and consumer of sugar, and the second-largest exporter. The industry provides an annual output of approx. INR 80,000 crores along with 732 operational sugar factories. During 2021-2022 sugarcane season, India was able to produce 5000 LMT of sugar, and sugar exports reached an all-time high of 109.8 LMT.

Tea Industry

India is the world's second-largest tea producer and a top tea-consuming country, with 80% of its tea being consumed domestically. In 2018, India grew tea on 6.37 lakh hectares of land. In 2021-22, the northern region of India produced the most tea, making up about 83% of the country's total production. Most of this tea comes from Assam and West Bengal. From January to September 2022, India produced 984.67 million kg of tea.

Leather Goods Industry

The leather industry in India is an important part of the economy and is one of the top ten foreign exchange earners. It produces about 13% of the world's leather from hides and skins, with around 3 billion square feet produced annually. This industry is an employer to about 4.42 million people in the country. India is positioned as the world's second-largest producer and consumer of footwear. The main segments of India's leather industry are tanning, footwear, leather garments, and leather accessories.

Vegetable Oil Industry

The Indian vegetable oil industry is a major agro-based industry, making up about 5% of the world's vegetable oil production. India is the second-largest consumer and the top importer of vegetable oil, accounting for 14% of global imports. In 2022, the edible oil market in India had a volume of 24.3 million tonnes.

Coffee Industry

Coffee is mainly grown in southern Indian states like Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha. Karnataka leads as India's largest producer, contributing about 70% of the total coffee production. India ranks among the top ten coffee-producing countries globally, making up approximately 3% of the world's coffee output in 2020. In terms of volume, India stands as the eighth largest exporter of coffee.

Challenges faced by Agro Based Industries in India

The agro-based industries in India face several significant challenges:

Supply Chain Issues: There's a lack of efficient supply chain infrastructure, impacting productivity and quality standards. Despite high agricultural output, food processing rates remain low.

Perishability: Agricultural products are perishable, leading to significant waste due to inadequate cold chain facilities and transportation infrastructure.

Limited Domestic Market Penetration: Many processing industries are export-oriented, with limited focus on the domestic market. There's a need for better marketing and promotion of locally processed food products.

Seasonal Nature: Production cycles are heavily influenced by seasonal agricultural patterns, restricting continuous production and income opportunities for farmers.

Technological Gaps: There's a lack of advanced technologies for food processing, storage, and handling, hindering efficiency and scale in the industry.

Knowledge and Guidance: Potential entrepreneurs often lack necessary information and guidance, deterring investments and growth in agro-based industries.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are agro based industries?

Agriculture is a major sector in India which has led to agro based industries. These industries have agricultural products in the raw or processed form as their main product. These products are either plant-based or animal-based and also includes activities as well as services used in agricultural processes. Agriculture sector is responsible for 17% of India's total GDP and employs around 60% workforce of India. These industries through employed workforce convert agricultural raw inputs into marketable processed products.

What are the types of agro based industries?

Agriculture and industry combine to form agro based industries. Though agriculture and industry are two sectors which are very different agro based industries bring these two sectors together to increase the profit rate of agricultural products. The types of agro based industries in India are Agro-produce processing units, Agro inputs manufacturing units, Agro produce manufacturing units, and Agro service centers.

What are the major agro based industries in India?

The major significant agro based industries in India are Textile Industry, Sugar Industry, Tea Industry, Leather Goods Industry, Vegetable Oil Industry, and Coffee Industry.

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