Pune: Maharashtra's first mega food park at Satara will have traditional, as well as innovative modes of food processing, said Chairman and Managing Director of BVG India Limited Hanmant Gaikwad on Friday. The food park, which is built on 70 acres of land, will be inaugurated on March 1 by former Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar, Union Cabinet Minister of Food Processing in the Government of India Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and other ministers.
Speaking about the food park, Gaikwad said that the food park will have facilities of cold storage, material storage, pulping line, packaging facility, solid waste management, sewage treatment, water treatment and other facilities. "We are looking for entrepreneurs, budding entrepreneurs, small and large businessman interested in setting up their food processing units at the food park. Till now, we have got about 13 people interested in setting up a unit in the food park. We would also provide space for rent for small entrepreneurs," added Gaikwad.
Speaking about the mega food park, Vijaykumar Chole, Vice President, Satara Mega Food Park, said that people interested in starting their food processing unit (FPU) will get a grant of Rs 5 crore from the government under the Sampada scheme of Central government. "Similarly, the State government also provides about Rs 50 lakh grant, which we have requested the government to increase it to Rs 2 crore," added Chole.
Speaking about innovative FPUs, Gaikwad said that FPUs with sugar-free jams will be started in the food park. "We have a facility of quality testing, training and other facilities. BVG will act as a hand holding company for people interested in setting up their FPUs at the food park. The location of the park is strategic and well connected to Mumbai and Pune," added Gaikwad.
