Maharashtra to focus on agro-based industries

Maharashtra will soon have a slew of agro-based SEZs, food and wine parks across the state as the government plans to concentrate on developing agro-based industries this year after focussing on manufacturing in 2006.

"This year there will be special focus on developing agro -based industries across the state and food-processing industries will be encouraged," Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation CEO Rajiv Jalota, told PTI.

An agro SEZ is being planned in Latur, which has the largest area under cultivation for oil-seeds in a single district in the country and the Expression of Interest for the same will be out in the next two months, he said.

A food park is being developed in Aurangabad in a joint venture with a local partner and should be ready in one year.

In the same manner, wine parks are being planned at Imadpur on the Pune-Sholapur highway. Currently, there are wine parks located in Sangli and Nashik, said Jalota.

The government will focus on the Amravati belt to develop textile and fruit processing units as the region grows fruits like pomegranates and bananas. Maharashtra Agriculture Industrial Development Corporation, the agency that looks after the agri sector was also planning food parks at Buti Bori and Ahmednagar.

These are, however, still in the conceptualisation stage.