Up to four “mega food parks” will open in India over next three months, according to the county’s Union Minister of State for Food Processing, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti.
Speaking at the ASSOCHAM National Conference on Cold Chain in New Delhi last week, Jyoti said the food parks would compliment the work being done by the Indian government to develop the food processing sector.
“Only two mega food parks became operational between 2009 and 2014 whereas six mega food parks became operational between 2014 and 2017 likewise 42 mega food parks will become operational by 2019,” Jyoti explained.
Jyoti said efforts were being made to set up the first food park in Uttar Pradesh, following discussions with the state’s chief minister, Yogi Aditya Nat.
“We and the state government will ensure that land, power, safety and all sorts of facilities will be provided to industrialists willing to set up food park in the state,” Jyoti told delegates.
Jyoti said her ministry was also working hard to provide storage facilities for perishable products, with the government sanctioning 63 cold chain projects since 2014.
“We have received 300 proposals for setting up new cold chain projects, which shows that industry across India is taking interest in food processing sector as we have received many applications from north-eastern states like Nagaland, Manipur and others,” Jyoti said.
