RESPONSIBLE GROWTH INDEX
Rating for Food Parks
Covers:
- Development of Mega Food Parks with Integrated Processing Units
- Establishment of Agro-Processing Clusters
- Construction of Common Infrastructure Facilities (CIFs) like Cold Storage, Warehousing, and Sorting Centers
- Setting up of Food Processing Units for Dairy, Meat, Fruits, Vegetables, and Grains
- Creation of Export-Oriented Food Processing Hubs
- Development of Logistics Infrastructure for Food Supply Chains
- Infrastructure for Packaging, Grading, and Standardization of Food Products
- Development of Research and Development (R&D) Centers within Food Parks
- Waste Management and Bio-Energy Generation Projects within Food Parks
- Establishment of Testing Labs for Processed Foods and Quality Assurance

Relevance and Impact
Food parks play a crucial role in addressing the growing challenges faced by the food processing industry. With increasing demand for processed and value-added food products, stakeholders in the sector face numerous hurdles such as supply chain inefficiencies, post-harvest losses, inadequate infrastructure, and stringent quality standards for exports. The Food Parks rating system for food parks provides a comprehensive framework for evaluating and enhancing the sustainability and efficiency of food processing infrastructure, helping to resolve critical pain points while promoting responsible growth.
Inefficient Supply Chains and High Post-Harvest Losses: Farmers and food processors often face significant post-harvest losses due to a lack of cold storage, warehousing, and logistics infrastructure. By developing integrated food parks with essential infrastructure such as cold storage, warehousing, and sorting centers, these losses can be minimized. Efficient logistics systems within food parks ensure that perishable goods are preserved and transported quickly, reducing spoilage and improving food security.
Limited Access to Processing Facilities: Many small-scale farmers and agro-businesses lack access to advanced processing units, limiting their ability to add value to raw agricultural products. The establishment of food processing units for dairy, meat, fruits, vegetables, and grains within food parks allows stakeholders to process raw materials into market-ready products, increasing profitability and reducing waste.
Meeting Export Standards and Quality Assurance: Achieving quality standards for exports is a significant challenge for food producers. The creation of export-oriented food processing hubs and testing labs for processed foods within food parks helps ensure that products meet global quality and safety standards. This infrastructure supports businesses in accessing international markets, boosting exports, and enhancing their competitiveness.
Lack of Standardization and Packaging Solutions: Proper packaging, grading, and standardization are essential for maintaining the quality and marketability of food products. Food parks that provide infrastructure for packaging, grading, and standardization help producers ensure their products meet market specifications, reducing inefficiencies and improving consumer trust.
Inadequate Research and Development for Innovation: Innovation is key to staying competitive in the food processing industry. However, many businesses struggle to invest in research and development. Food parks with integrated R&D centers offer a solution by providing space and resources for research into new products, processing techniques, and sustainable practices. This fosters innovation, improving product quality and introducing new food products into the market.
Waste Management and Sustainability Challenges: The food processing industry generates significant waste, much of which is improperly managed. Integrating waste management and bio-energy generation projects within food parks helps address these sustainability challenges. By converting food waste into energy, businesses can reduce their environmental footprint while cutting down on operational costs.
Fragmented Infrastructure and High Costs for Small Producers: Small-scale producers often struggle to bear the high costs of setting up processing and logistics infrastructure. The common infrastructure facilities (CIFs) within food parks, such as warehousing, cold storage, and transportation systems, provide shared resources that lower operational costs for smaller producers and help them scale efficiently.
By addressing these core problems, food parks developed under the Responsible Growth Index framework ensure the food processing sector grows sustainably, fostering economic growth, reducing waste, and enhancing food security.
What Will I Be Able To Do?
Tangible Benefits:
- Ensure consistent quality through testing labs and quality assurance infrastructure.
- Optimize food processing and logistics with integrated facilities like cold storage, warehousing, and sorting centers.
- Implement waste management and bio-energy generation projects to reduce environmental impact.
- Meet food safety standards and export requirements with quality assurance and testing labs.
- Expand into international markets with export-oriented processing hubs and standardization of food products.
- Benefit from shared infrastructure in food parks, reducing costs for individual food processors.
- Develop new products and improve processing technologies through R&D centers.
Intangible Benefits:
- Position your food park as a leader in sustainable food processing and innovation.
- Build stronger relationships with investors, suppliers, and customers through certification and transparent operations.
- Consumers trust food processed in certified parks, knowing they meet high safety and quality standards.
- Benefit from strategic growth by aligning with sustainable practices and meeting global market demands.
- Contribute to local economic development through job creation and support for local farmers.
What Will I Get?
This certification guides food park projects by incorporating the following scopes:
Environmental Scope:
1. Adoption of sustainable practices like energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste management.
2. Implementation of green technologies and reduction of carbon footprints.
3. Promotion of resource optimization to minimize environmental impact.
Social Scope:
1. Ensuring fair labor practices, safe working conditions, and employee well-being.
2. Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the workplace.
3. Enhancing community engagement and fostering positive social impacts.
Governance Scope:
1. Strengthening compliance with regulations, data privacy, and intellectual property protection.
2. Establishing transparent and ethical business practices.
3. Implementing robust governance structures to mitigate legal and operational risks.
Economic and Geopolitical Scope:
1. Encouraging market diversification and strategic partnerships.
2. Developing risk management strategies to address economic and geopolitical uncertainties.
3. Fostering innovation to create new market opportunities and drive economic resilience.
Innovation and Market Leadership Scope:
1. Promoting responsible and ethical software development practices.
2. Differentiating companies through sustainable product offerings and innovative solutions.
3. Enhancing brand reputation and market positioning as leaders in responsible technology.
Certification Levels
REGI Responsible Projects Certification Levels
Certification Level
Points Range
Description
1-STAR
Certified Level
40-49
Ideal for those initiating sustainable practices. A step towards a more responsible and eco-friendly approach.
2-STAR
Bronze Level
50-59
For entities committed to advancing sustainability initiatives. Recognizes efforts in resource efficiency and waste reduction.
3-STAR
Silver Level
60-69
Suitable for organizations with a substantial commitment to sustainability. Acknowledges achievements in various aspects of responsible practices.
4-STAR
Gold Level
70-79
Honors entities showcasing a high level of dedication to sustainable practices. Acknowledges excellence in resource efficiency, carbon footprint reduction, and waste management.
5-STAR
Platinum Level
80+
Represents the pinnacle of REGI certification. Signifies profound dedication to holistic sustainability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Fee Structure
Registration Fee (Rs)
REGI Founding Member
₹25,000
REGI Annual Member
₹25,000
Non-Member
₹30,000
Certification Fee(Rs)
REGI Founding Member
₹1,25,000
REGI Annual Member
₹1,80,000
Non-Member
₹2,25,000
NOTES:
- Registration fee is a one-time fee paid at the beginning of the certification process.
- Fee is exclusive of Goods and Services Tax (GST)
- Certification fee is the main fee for assessing and certifying your product, service, or project.
- Registration, Precertification and Certification fee are non-refundable
Payment Details:
Payment can be conveniently done through a Debit Card, Credit Card or Net Banking.
Resources
Abridged List of References: