IFFCO forays into infrastructure development with Kisan SEZ in AP

New Delhi, Jan 3 (UNI) Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO), globally acclaimed fertilisers giant, is foraying into infrastructure development business with the setting up of 'Kisan Sez', a multi-product state of the art infrastructure facility in Andhra Pradesh for the food processing sector.

Disclosing this, IFFCO Chairman S K Jakhar announced that IFFCO will soon set up an agriculture-based food processing SEZ in Nellore, in its pursuit to empower farmers. This multi product SEZ to be named as ''Kisan SEZ'' will provide state of the art infrastructure facilities to a range of industries with primary focus on food processing and Agri based industries.

The Government has cleared the IFFCO's Kisan SEZ proposal, which envisages an investment of about Rs 2,400 crore, he said adding that Kisan SEZ will be India's first SEZ in which Farmers Cooperatives will participate as its shareholders. Kisan SEZ will not only boost industrialisation of the area but also benefit local population in general and farmers in particular, in terms of employment and business opportunities.

It is expected to generate employment opportunities for more than 10,000 persons apart from large scale economic development of the region, Mr Jakhar said.

IFFCO's SEZ would be set up on about 2,800 acres of land already in its possession without involving any displacement of land owners.

The site is located on NH 5 (Howrah-Chennai Highway) and is close to Krishnapatnam port, which is being developed as a major port in South India.

Alongside developing the 'Kisan SEZ', IFFCO also plans to set up state of the art Technical Training Institute and Construction Training Facility in the State to provide training in agriculture and post harvesting technologies, grain storage facilities and to upgrade construction related skills.

IFFCO further plans to adopt certain ITIs in the region to upgrade their facilities to train local manpower.

Mr Jakhar said IFFCO's foray into the Infrastructure sector is with the prime objective of transforming lives of millions of the farmers and thousands of cooperators shall benefit from this Project.

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