A Taste of Progress: Andhra’s Food Processing Future

An integrated tomato processing unit at Doodedkonda village, under Kothirala Gram Panchayat in Kurnool district, is set to commence operations within the next three to four months, with civil works already completed. The facility marks Andhra Pradesh’s first of its kind and represents a significant step in strengthening the state’s food processing infrastructure.

The plant will have a processing capacity of one tonne of tomatoes per hour, producing ketchup, paste, and pickles. To ensure year-round utilization, the facility will also process mangoes and guavas during the tomato off-season. Supported by the Department of Food Processing Industries and Commerce, the project aims to mitigate market volatility for tomato farmers, who often face losses due to price crashes or lack of storage solutions.

While similar processing units are already operational in Tirupati and Visakhapatnam, the Kurnool facility adds a strategic dimension to the state’s agro-based industrial network.

The unit is part of a broader initiative to attract ₹2,937.2 crore in investments into Andhra Pradesh’s food processing sector. Key projects under this initiative include:

₹224 crore oil palm processing facility by 3F Oil Palm in East Godavari (civil works completed, machinery trials ongoing)

₹350 crore chicken processing unit by ABIS Proteins in Chittoor (land allotted, construction in progress)

₹1,622 crore beverage manufacturing plant by Reliance Consumer Products

Collectively, these projects are expected to generate 1,540 employment opportunities, boosting rural livelihoods and adding value to the agricultural supply chain across the state.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.