Huma Coastal Mega Food Park proposed in Ganjam district

The promotional interventions by Huma Coastal Mega Food Park Pvt Ltd through introduction of new varieties of potato and tomato have yielded high returns for farmers. The company, which got approval from the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) to set up a food park in Ganjam district in October last year, has received highest valuation mark at the national level. The firm, which started contract farming in vegetable products on trial basis with farmers of Cuttack and Keonjhar districts, is now encouraging farmers of other districts to be active partners of the Food Park project by growing vegetables. They have been assured guaranteed buying with better price for their products.

According to a high level meeting presided over by Chief Secretary Bijay Patnaik, the first phase of the project is being set up on 72 acres of land at Huma, 40 km from Berhampur. The project will create a strong network of farmers and agro-entrepreneurs. The project will benefit one lakh small farmers, fishermen in its core operating areas covering the districts of Ganjam, Kandhamal, Gajapati, Balangir, Kalahandi, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Nayagarh, Khurda, Cuttack and Puri, official sources said.

The firm, set up by five promoters, will invest about `116 cr in the first phase with financial assistance from the Centre and the State Government. The identified crops for the project in first phase are potato, tomato, onion, lettuce, herbs, gherkins, jalapenos, baby-corn, mango, lychee, banana, pineapple, papaya, cashew, coconut, marine and dairy products.The project will have large cold storage with multi-level storage facility. The Horticulture and Agriculture departments were asked to prepare integrated crop planning for maximum utilisation of the cold storage and other infrastructural facilities throughout the year.

The promoters’ proposal for special power tariff for agro-cold storages during initial years of their establishment was discussed in the meeting. They said that the cold storage will not be sustainable without subsidised power. The Chief Secretary has also advised the MSME department to organise an investors’ meet and activity wise training programmes for the local youths who can get employment opportunities created by Food Park. It has been decided that training will be organised under the programmes of State employment mission. The Chief Secretary has asked the promoters of Food Park to specify the courses and also suggest the techniques in which they need trained manpower. Development Commissioner J K Mohapatra, Principal Secretary, Agriculture, R L Jamuda, Director of Horticulture Sanjeeb Chadha, promoters of the project and farmers’ representatives participated in the discussions.

Source: Express News Service