Rahul Gandhi lays foundation of mega food park in Amethi

Indo Gulf Fertilisers to invest Rs 200 crore in the project

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Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi on Monday laid the foundation of a mega food park in Jagdishpur, which falls under his parliamentary constituency— Amethi.

Shaktiman Mega Food Park is being established by Indo Gulf Fertilisers, part of the diversified Aditya Birla Nuvo Group, with an investment of Rs 200 crore. It is projected to benefit about 40,000 farmers.
Addressing the gathering, Gandhi said about 50 units to be set up at the park would provide direct jobs to 2,500 people and indirect job opportunities to 25,000 others.

He envisioned Amethi to be developed as a major agricultural hub in coming years, so that farmers could get their due share in profits generating out of farm produce.

He said a cargo terminal could also be established at Fursatganj air strip in neighbouring Rae Bareli district, from where processed food items could be transported to other parts of the country.

Besides, Hindustan Paper Mill in Amethi would be revived, which would provide employment to almost 10,000 people, Gandhi said.

The mega food park project had been stuck for quite some time due to bureaucratic and other procedural delays.

Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Charan Das Mahant and Aditya Birla Nuvo chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla were also present on the occasion.

This facility would span across 72 acres and boast of world-class infrastructure for food processing coupled with backward and forward linkages for the entire food processing value chain. It would implement best practices in post-harvest management.

The Park would offer services such as dry warehousing, cold storage, a farmer-friendly bank and fully equipped education and business centres. It is likely to generate revenue of Rs 450 crore.