INDIAN STATE : GUJARAT

Major Industries

Agro and Food Processing

Agriculture in Gujarat forms a vital sector of the state's economy. It has to provide the required food grains for the state's population and raw materials for most of the agro-based industries. Gujarat witnessed Impressive Agriculture Performance in last five years (2001-05), with an average growth rate of 24.11%.

Advantage Gujarat - Agriculture sector

• Integrated Water Management and assured irrigation
  
• Diversified Crops and Cropping systems
  
• Climatic diversities - 8 agro climatic zones
  
• Abundant natural resources suitable for a variety of commercial crops
  
• Strong Agri Marketing system, Agro based Industries & Co-operatives
  
• Strong agri research capabilities
  
• Enterprising Farmers having business instincts

The major food crops in the State are Rice, Wheat, Jowar, Bajra, Maize, Tur, Green Gram, and Groundnut while major non-food crops are Cotton and tobacco.

Gujarat is a leading producer of various agricultural crops within India as well as worldwide. The state is the leading producer of, Castor, Tobacco, Isabgul (Psyllium) and the second largest Producer of Sesame seeds, Cotton and Groundnut in the country. The state has highest productivity in, Mustard, Castor and Cotton, Second highest productivity in Groundnut and Bajara and third highest productivity in Gram, Guar, Banana and Isabgul in India. Gujarat assigns high priority to the agriculture sector and has formulated a comprehensive agro industrial policy and a vision 2010 document for development of agriculture and agro based industries.

The new industrial policy (2000) of the state identifies agro industries as the major thrust area. The policy aims to spur investments in agro processing, agro infrastructure and hi tech agriculture by monetary and non-monetary incentives. The key features of the state policy are:

• Assistance in preparation of project reports.
  
• Assistance in setting up of excellence / specific crop development institutes.
  
• Assistance in quality certification.
  
• Assistance in patent registration.
  
• Airfreight subsidy for agro exports.
  
• Assistance in research and development activities in the sector.
  
• Equity participation in joint sector format to facilitate private investment
  
• Provision of government land on long lease basis at concessional rate.

The Gujarat Agro Vision 2010 has been formulated with defined growth parameters of gross state domestic product, per capita income and increase in non-farm income of rural population due to multiplier effect. The main programmes included in this Vision are land reforms, water shed development, increase in irrigation potential, and use of drip irrigation systems, special emphasis on horticultural development, use of biotechnology, improved seeds, bio-fertilizers, strong marketing structure and proper preservation and storage of agricultural produce etc.