A consortium led by Chandigarh-based International Fresh Farm Products India Ltd (IFFPIL) would develop Punjab’s first mega food park at Fazilka under a scheme of the Ministry of Food Processing. The project would involve capital investment of Rs 140-150 crore. The park, spread over 60-70 acres would not only boast of modern infrastructure, but would also promote agro-processing industries by offering plug-andplay type facilities. The company would submit its DPR in next 3-4 months.
The scheme involves 50 per cent of the project cost as grant from the Centre. The company has also written to the Punjab government for its equity participation to the extent of 15 per cent, which is under consideration. Officials in Punjab Agro Industries Corporation (PAIC), said IFFPIL had been awarded the project after Mumbai-based Unity Infraprojects Ltd consortium failed to make any headway.
Besides, general infrastructure, the proposed park would have capacity to accommodate atleast 35 agro-processing units. Speaking to Business Standard, IFFPIL, Managing Director, Sukhinder Singh said, “The Food Park Scheme will be implemented by a SPV, namely International Mega Food Park Ltd in which the stakeholders will be investors in the park, farmers, FII’s, FI’s, service providers, etc. Further, we have written to the state governments for its equity participation in the SPVs. The park would be spread over 60-70 acres and the total project cost would be Rs 140-150 crore. We will promote agro processing units in the par.”The company has already acquired the land for the project.
The proposed park ia likely to benefit thousand of farmers in the area which is one of the backward area of the state and the cropping pattern is restricted to wheat and paddy. “ We plan to change the cropping pattern in next 4-5 years, “ added Singh.
According to the scheme, the mega food park would have three tier system in the supply chain(backward linkage) including producers. Also, it will have collection centres, primary centres(products specific clusters) for each producer group with pre cooling facilities. Depending upon the need; sorting, grading & packing facilities will be provided at these centres alongwith transfer of technology as information kiosks.
The General infrastructure will include road, water supply, administrative building, internet, electric sub station etc. The Technical Infrastructure would have basic refrigeration plant with puff insulated panels (18,000 MT), pre cooling units, packaging R & D & quality control lab, variable humidity store (6,000 MT).
