Centre okays mega food park under PMKSY
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 25 2019: The Ministry of Food Processing Industries has agreed in principle to set up a mega food park in the State under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY).

Altogether 42 mega food parks were to be established between 2016 and 2010 in different States including Manipur under PMKSY, sources informed.

These mega food parks seek to boost agriculture and horticulture sector apart from creating job avenues for a number of youth directly or indirectly.

The Manipur Food Industries Corporation Limited sent a proposal to the Ministry of Food Processing Industries for establishment of a mega food park at Yaithibi Khunou, Thoubal district at the cost of Rs 81.36 crore.

The proposal was approved in principle by an inter-Ministerial approval committee of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries on March 8 this year.

The Ministry sent a letter of approval to the Manipur Food Industries Corporation Limited on March 15.Out of the total estimated cost of 81.37 crore, Rs 50 crore would be given by the Ministry as grant while the State's share is 12.74 crore.

Rs 18.63 crore can be obtained from NABARD as term loan.

It is said that an area of 100 acres located under Yaithibi Khunou in the name of Youth Affairs and Sports Department would be set aside for setting up the mega food park.

As per PMKSY guidelines, a detailed project report should be submitted to the Ministry within four months of receiving the letter of approval in-principle.

Preparation of the DPR should be done through a project management consultant empanelled by the Ministry.

The Ministry has already recommended names of two project management consult-ants�� M/S Grant Thornton and M/S Technopak.

Meanwhile, the Manipur Food Industries Corporation Limited has expedited due process of hiring a consultant from among the two recommended by the Ministry.

Notably, only two months' time is now available with the Manipur Food Industries Corporation Limited to submit a DPR for final approval.

Incidentally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier promised that the farmers' incomes would be doubled by 2022 .

The mega food park would facilitate preservation, marketing and manufacturing of packaged products out of agricultural and horticultural produces and this in turn not would only augment farmers' income but would also contribute to the State's economy, said the sources.

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