The Indian government has committed to setting up 30 food parks involving private sector investment. Each of the parks, eligible for a government subsidy of Rs 50 crore, will be set up by a special purpose vehicle with private sector participation, an official release said.
“The government is open to offer optimum support required by companies to set up a food processing unit in the country,” assured minister of state for food processing industries, Subodh Kant Sahai, at Agricorp 2007, a conference that was held in Mumbai on April 25.
Sahai announced a Rs 1,500-crore grant to develop mega food parks across the country. He said, “We will extend a grant of Rs 50 crore to create infrastructure and supply lines for 30 food parks across the country.”
Chindwara, Madhya Pradesh, will be among the initial beneficiaries of the scheme. Bharti Group, scheduled for retail forays with Wal-Mart and North India’s leading food chain Haldiram, is reported to be keen on becoming the ‘anchor investor’ for a food park in Chindwara.
