Food park to be completed within two years

Bhubaneswar: Odisha government on Monday said the proposed mega food park project in tribal dominated Rayagada district was likely to be functional within two years, official sources said.

The food park project, to be implemented in PPP mode between the state owned Industrial Infrastracture Development Corporation and MIST Mega Food Park Limited.

A special purpose vehicle (SPV) has been formed for the purpose, said MSME (micro small and medium enterprises) Minister Damodar Rout.

Stating that the proposed food park would provide employment for above 10,000 people, Rout said the project would be a game changer for the state and would establish Odisha as an international destination in food processing industry sector.

Rout said this after reviewing the project at the office of the MIST company. Satisfied over the progress, he said the food processing sector was on top priority for the government. Rout assured all support to the project.

The proposed food park would be developed over 50 acres of land initially which could extend upto 100 acres depending on the number of investors. The project would be implemented with investment of Rs 200 crore, official sources said.

The park will establish direct linkage among farm, consumer markets and processing sectors through a network of collection centres and primary processing centres, they said.