The Mega Food Park in Cherthala Pallipuram, constructed by the State Industrial Development Corporation with financial assistance from the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MOFPI), has completed Phase 1 and has become operational. The park aims to develop the seafood processing sector and is expected to generate an investment of ₹1,000 crore and provide 3,000 direct employment opportunities once fully operational. In the first phase, the park has provided employment to 600 people. The seafood processing and marketing sector has suffered due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the mega food park is expected to give it a fresh start.

The park has been established on 84.05 acres of land at a cost of ₹128.49 crore. The state government share in the project is ₹72.49 crore, the union government share is ₹50 crore, and the balance is bank loan. The first phase of the park covers 68 acres, and basic facilities such as road, electricity, rainwater drainage, water supply system, perimeter wall, gate, security cabin, standard design factory, common facility center, processing facility, warehouse, etc., have been prepared. Of the 31 food processing industrial units allotted space, 12 units have become functional. Entrepreneurs are given land on a 30-year lease basis.

The park offers various activities, including food processing, manufacturing of value-added products, primary processing of seafood, such as peeling, cleaning, sorting, and ice planting, seafood collection, grading, quality inspection, freezing unit, cold store, etc. The park also has facilities such as a sewage treatment plant, godown, parking facility, clean water, administrative office, road, buildings for rent to industrialists, and state-of-the-art facilities to help entrepreneurs in food processing. Primary processing centers at Thoppumpadi, Vipin, and Munamba will also be connected to the mega food park.

The construction of a 3000 MT cold storage, 10 MT/day deep freezer, and 10 MT/day deboning center for fish deboning is in the final stages. The construction of an influent plant to treat 20 lakh liters of sewage daily will also be completed soon. The park is located in the Aroor and Cherthala areas, which have many activities in the marine resource industry. The park is connected to a road that can accommodate a 40-foot container truck. Kochi International Airport and Kochi Port are within 50 km of the park, and it is also located near Cherthala railway station, adding to its marketing potential.

Last updated on : 2023-04-10 12:48:14