Rahul Gandhi hopes to make Amethi 'agricultural hub'

Addressing a rally here after laying the foundation stone for a mega food park, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Monday said the initiative would provide large scale employment to residents of the area and ensure just pay to farmers exporting agricultural items.

"The truth is that in the entire chain, the person who works the hardest is the least paid.... In UP, farmers do not get prices according to their produce. ... The farmer in UP, whose mangoes are being exported to London and America, he does not benefit as much as he should. The food park will benefit the farmers the most," Gandhi said.

"The rationale (for the food park) is that whatever is produced in UP, should, in the majority be processed in Amethi. It should become an agricultural hub. ... Farmers will feel they are getting worth for their work," Gandhi added.

Gandhi said the inaugurated food park in Amethi will have 40 to 50 warehouses and give direct employment to 2,500 people.

The Shaktiman Mega Food Park will be set up by Aditya Birla Nuvo in Jagdishpur at Amethi through Indo Gulf Fertilizers.

According to reports, the facility is expected to be spread over 72 acres of land and is expected to have a salutary impact on 40,000 farmers. It is expected to have 35 food processing units.

The Shaktiman Mega Food Park is estimated to generate revenue of Rs. 450 crores, which will significantly boost local employment and economy in the area.