How To Start Hing (Compounded Asafoetida) Manufacturing Business

Compounded Asafoetida or Hing is a very popular Indian spice. However, our country imports the basic raw materials mainly from Iran and Afghanistan. Here in this article, we intend to explore starting a small-scale Hing manufacturing business.

Asafoetida is a plant. It has a bad smell and tastes bitter. Asafoetida is used as a fragrance in cosmetics and as a flavoring ingredient in foods and beverages. In India, there are thousands of cooking recipes where Hing is the essential spice.

Any individual can start a Hing manufacturing business with comparatively small capital investment. Additionally, the business doesn’t demand a lot of space for the manufacturing operation. However, You will need to pay extra attention to the distribution of the product.

Here are the Steps to Start Hing Manufacturing Business

Understand the Market

There are two main varieties of asafoetida. These are Hing Kabuli Sufaid (Milky white asafoetida) and Hing Lal (Red asafoetida). Asafoetida is acrid and bitter and emits a strong disagreeable pungent odor due to the presence of sulfur compounds therein.

The white or pale variety is water-soluble, whereas the dark or black variety is oil soluble. Since pure asafoetida is not preferred due to its strong flavor, it is mixed with starch and gum and sold as compounded asafoetida. It is also available in free-flowing (Powder form) or tablet forms.

There is a good demand for quality compounded asafoetida in the domestic as well as in the export market. The major importers are the UK, Yemen, Belgium, Kenya, Malaysia, Oman, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, and other countries.

Read: Best Small Manufacturing Business Ideas

Hing Manufacturing Business Compliances

Hing is a food product and in starting the commercial production, you must apply for different registration and licenses. It is advisable to check your state laws. However, here we put some basic considerations.

• First of all, determine the form of the organization and register it. For a small-scale operation, you can go with proprietorship registration.
• Apply for GST Registration
• Then apply for MSME Udyog Aadhaar online registration.
• Apply for the Trade License from the local Municipal authority.
• Apply for FSSAI registration. Compliance with the PFA Act is mandatory.
• Additionally, apply for a ‘NOC’ from the State Pollution Control Board.
• Check the other tax liabilities in your state.
• Finally, determine a brand name and register it with Trademark registration.

Hing Manufacturing Plant Setup & Machinery

First of all, figure out how much capital you have and accordingly determine the business size. Additionally, you must have a customized project report or business plan. Generally, an area of 1000 Sq Ft is enough for the manufacturing operation.

Additionally, you must ensure the easy availability of utilities like electricity, water, and semi-skilled labor for the unit.

Some of the basic required machines are:

• Mixer Grinder
• Milling unit
• Tableting machine
• Packaging Unit

Related: Things To Consider In Selecting Factory Location

Hing Manufacturing Process & Raw Materials

In starting this business, you will need to purchase the process technology from reliable sources. Here we put a basic procedure of the Hing production.

First of all, you will need to soak the pasty mass of asafoetida in water. Then mix the other ingredients in a required proportion in a mixer. Here add the slurry of the soaked asafoetida and mix well. The compounded

Then make the compounded asafoetida to the powder form in a mill and then pack it. Commercial asafoetida, owing to its high moisture content, often develops molds on the surface, especially when packed in polyethylene bags.

The major raw material is concentrated Asafoetida. Additionally, you will need to procure the packaging consumables. Generally, plastic containers are the best option for packaging.

The quality of asafoetida depends on its volatile oil content, which provides a characteristic odor. A simple method is also available to determine the flavor strength in asafoetida.

Generally, an improved method of Hing manufacturing ensures a standard product and employs a minimum quantity of water which ensures a long shelf life.