Centre proposes 30 mega food parks in 11th Plan

Itanagar, Feb 15: The Centre has proposed to set up 30 mega food parks in the country during the 11th Plan period at an estimated cost of Rs 50 crore per park and action has been initiated for five such parks, including one proposed in the North East.

Addressing the first meeting of the state-level task force on food processing industries here yesterday, deputy secretary, Union Food Processing Ministry, N M L Bhatnagar highlighted the major thrust areas to be undertaken by the Centre. Mr Bhatnagar also hinted at a plan to set up 30 cold chain infrastructure projects under Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, proposals for modernising 100 urban slaughter houses, National Poultry and Meat Processing Board, national programme for organic production and international certification scheme to promote export of certified organic products.

He said the mandate of the task force was to identify potential areas and sectors for development of food processing industry in the state and for preparing action plan for promotion of processing in the agro-horticulture sector in the 11th Plan. The food processing sector covers the veterinary and dairy sectors too, he added.

UNI