Pink Revolution in the Food Processing Industries

The food processing industry (FPI) is among some of the most promising and profitable industries in India. In the last few decades, the FPI has grown significantly and has become of the major contributing industries to the GDP of India. Many economists and researchers believe that the White and Green Revolution in India stands out as one of the major factors contributing to the success of Food Processing Industries in India and it’s true to some extent. But apart from the Green Revolution and the White Revolution, the Pink Revolution also significantly contributes to the growth of FPI in India. 

On average India produces more than 75 billion eggs and more than 6.3 million tonnes of meat each year.

Pink Revolution in the Food Processing Industries

What do you Mean by Pink Revolution?

Similar to the green and white revolutions, the Pink revolution is a term often used to denote the technological advances made in the meat and poultry processing industry. The Green, revolution is used to indicate technological reforms made in agriculture, and similarly white revolution for the technological advancement in the milk industry. In India, the Pink revolution was first proposed in 1964, which significantly paced up in the late 90s. The Pink Revolution introduced new and better techniques for poultry farming and modern technology to store the meat for a longer period.

Potential of the Pink Revolution in the Food Processing Industries:

• The average meat consumption in India was 6 grams per person per day in 2021. Which is further expected to increase to 50 grams per day by 2035. Thus there is great potential for the growth of the meat and poultry industry in India. 
• India has now developed new technologies that help in processing meat and storing it for longer than usual so that it can be exported to other nations.
• The processing of meat and other poultry products increases their shelf life and also transforms them into a ready to eat food product, which has a huge demand in the national and international market.
• The total ratio of the total meat production to the total meat consumption in India is 7.4: 6. The total annual meat production in India is around 7.4 million tonnes, while the consumption is only around 6 million tonnes. Thus it can be observed that every year India exports more than 1.5 million tonnes of meat, generating good revenue for the government. 
• Poultry farming and meat production in India can be easily done in home-based industries. Thus the food processing industries purchase meat and eggs from them at lower rates and thus the price of the finished product also remains less.

India stands out as the 4th largest meat exporting nation in the world, which once surpassed brazil in 2014 to become the largest meat producer in the world. 

Challenges to the Meat and Poultry Sector in India:

• Meat poultry sectors get badly affected by diseases like the bird flu or COVID 19. During the Pandemic of COVID 19, the poultry sector got adversely affected, thus such diseases come up as a big challenge to the growth of the meat industry in India.
• The majority of the population in India is vegetarian and thus demand for the meat or any processed non-vegetarian food is quite less.
• The non-vegetarian food especially meat is high in fats and may lead to some heart disease, thus many people avoid eating meat. 
• There is a need for hygiene in the meat industry in India, as meat is commonly prepared in open spaces where other air-borne particles can infect the meat.
• The lack of proper meat testing facilities is also a major challenge for the growth of the meat and poultry sector in India.

Govt’s Initiatives to Promote the Meat and Poultry Sector:

• The government charges no central excise or income tax poultry and meat sector.
• The government is also planning to introduce advanced technologies in the slaughterhouses which decreased meat waste, reduce contamination, and maintain the quality of meat.
• The government of India allows 100% FDI (Food Processing Industries) in the meat and poultry sector and there are no restrictions on its export as well.
• The National Meat and Poultry Processing Board, which comes under the Ministry of Food Processing is working to bridge the gap between the meat producers and the FPIs.