KOCHI: The food processing sector in the state is poised for a major leap with two mega food processing industrial parks coming up in Palakkad and Cherthala with a combined investment of Rs 250 cr. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Harsimart Kaur Badal will jointly put the foundation stone for the parks on Saturday. The park at Cherthala estimated to cost Rs 130 cr promoted by the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation is dedicated to seafood sector. The multi-purpose park near the Kanjikode industrial area in Palakkad promoted by the Kerala State Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (KINFRA) is projected to cost Rs 120 cr.
KSIDC officials said the Mega Food Processing Park (MFP) will be the ideal location for processing a variety of food products, particularly seafood products is being established over 65 acres of land. The park is with a total outlay of Rs 130crore, comprising of an equity contribution of KSIDC/state government worth Rs 70 crore, a grant-in-aid of Rs 50 cr from the Ministry of Food Processing Industries and a term loan of Rs 10 crore.
KSIDC will create the basic enabling infrastructure at the MFP and also set up pre-processing centres (PPC) at three locations at Thoppumpady, Vypeen and Munambam. Two other locations at Neendakara and Aroor will be treated as Collection Centres. Proposed KINFRA Mega Food Park is an area of 79.42 acres of land at Palakkad. The project has been approved by Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MOFPI) and the estimated cost is Rs 119.02 crore.
The ministry will provide '50 cr and NABARD a term loan of '28.34 cr The assistance sought from Ministry of Food Processing Industries is Rs 50.00 crores. The project also sought term loan assistance from NABARD. NABARD sanctioned a term loan for an amount of Rs 28.34 cr. The contribution of the state is Rs 40.68 cr. Apart from the basic infrastructure and common facilities such as roads, electricity and water, water treatment plant, effluent treatment plant, quality control laboratories, cold storages, warehouses, process centers in the Food Park it shall have separate Primary Processing centers and collection centers.
