Technology Revolutionizing India's Food Sector

Technology advancements have improved every industry in today’s world, including the food sector. Technology over the years has changed how we produce and find our food through applications, robotics, data and processing techniques. According to a recent report from ING, technology helps food manufacturers produce more efficiently for a growing world population. By using tech to improve processing and packaging, it can improve the shelf life and safety of food.

Indian food and beverage sector is looking at modernisation to keep pace with the ongoing trends and regulations. Food and Beverage companies in India are now investing in technology. Companies are realising the need to make some changes in food safety and transparency in the supply chain. If companies do not have the right systems in place, all the way from recipes, its ingredients and not being able to trace the products in the supply chain they will be at a disadvantage.

Agriculture- The convergence of internet, cloud platforms, Internet of things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence, Machine Language and open data have transformed agriculture. In November 2020, Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi while inaugurating the Responsible AI for Social Empowerment Summit, RAISE 2020 highlighted how Artificial Intelligence-based agri-tech applications are set to unleash value in agriculture, especially in wake of the recent farm reforms that have opened doors to private sector investments in agriculture.

Cloud Kitchen- A Cloud Kitchen is a restaurant that is designed solely for the purpose to fulfil the online delivery orders from Swiggy, Zomato, UberEats, Ola Foods & more and doesn’t have a dine-in option. Even if it has a dine in option, that won’t be bigger than a 2-4 seated restaurant as their main focus is to accept incoming orders only. Known by many other names like ghost kitchens, virtual kitchens, dark kitchens, and satellite kitchens, these cloud kitchens are expected to see a 17.25% rise in CAGR by 2030. Recently, Wendy’s Co. has struck a deal with India’s Rebel Foods to open about 250 cloud kitchens across the country, one of the most ambitious efforts.

IoT in Food Safety- (Internet of Things) IoT is a system of interrelated computing devices with unique identification tags. It can interact with each other by transferring data over a network with the help of embedded sensors, processors, and communication hardware. In the food and beverage sector, IoT helps in gaining greater visibility in each stage of manufacturing, production, and transportation. Even though it affects the privacy of the companies, IoT improves food safety and traceability. It also helps in the reduction of wastage and costs. It combines sensors, artificial intelligence, and traceability services like blockchain.

Robotics- Intelligent farming techniques and precision agriculture operating with the help of automation are gaining importance among Indian farmers and agricultural researchers. Robotics is already established in food processing, particularly in mixing and sorting applications, and also in food packaging at different levels. Repetitive and arduous tasks are well handled by robots with precision. Some Indian restaurants even have robot chefs and automated facilities to serve foods that attract customers.

Online Food Delivery Services- Another prominent impact in the Indian food sector is in the field of online food delivery services, with annual revenue of US$ 7 billion in 2019. The increased dependency on mobile phones augmented convenience, and the numerous options offered to make these food aggregators an indispensable part of our daily life.

Blockchain in Food & Supply Chain- Blockchain is an encrypted and distributed computer filing system, moreover, like a ledger, which helps in food traceability. It is a prospective technology for transforming the supply chain of the food and beverage industry in India. Consumers will be able to trace the source and the quality of produces and ensure its safety and security. For instance, it helps to know the place where the fruit is cultivated or in the recalling of a specific batch of products in case of the report of contamination or crisis.

3D Food Printing Technology- With the advent of 3D printing, there has been a tremendous breakthrough in today's food industry, with companies across the globe trying their hand at 3D printing food. There have been several applications of 3D printing food which includes printing a pizza to creating soft foods for those who cannot chew hard food to consume. It opens the door for innovation being able to create many things that we were unable to before while also being able to help with food sustainability.