Chowna Mein, who spent the day visiting a mega food park and an integrated farm in the Papumpare district, urged officials to expedite single-window clearance to facilitate the establishment of food processing units and Agro-based industries in the state.
The food park is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'vocal for local' vision of doubling farmers' income and strengthening the economy. It will also create direct and indirect job opportunities for the region's youth.
According to an official communiqué, the integrated farm, located 29 kilometres from the state capital, currently employs more than 300 skilled and unskilled unemployed youth.
"We have launched many subsidized schemes such as Atma Nirbhar Krishi Yojana, Atma Nirbhar Bagwani Yojana, Atma Nirbhar Matsya Palan Yojana, and Atma Nirbhar Plantation Yojana to increase farmer productivity and income, as well as to achieve self-reliance in the agriculture sector," said the deputy chief minister.
The establishment of the mega food park under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana has been approved by the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI).
Once operational, the park will house 35 food industries and indirectly employ over 5 lakh farmers. Rice and flour mills, canning units, pickle units, squash and juice units, bakery units, ready-to-eat packaged food units, dairy, meat, and seafood units will all be part of the multi-sectoral park.
The 75-acre mega food park will have 200 hectares of rubber plantation, 100 hectares of Thailand seedless lemon plantation, freshwater fishery ponds, dairy farms, and various livestock farms.
The park's opening is expected to provide direct employment for 5000 people and will play an essential role in lowering the state's unemployment rate. The park's annual revenue is expected to be around Rs 450-500 crore, with a total investment of around Rs 250 crore.
