Fertiliser major Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Ltd (Iffco) is contemplating setting up an agriculture-based food processing special economic zone (SEZ) at Nellore in Andhra Pradesh.
The multi-product SEZ will be christened ?Kisan SEZ? and provide state-of-the-art infrastructure facilities, especially for food processing and agri-based industries.
The Centre has cleared Iffco?s proposal, which envisages an investment of about Rs 2,400 crore.
?Kisan SEZ will be India?s first SEZ in which farmers? cooperatives will participate as shareholders. This will not only boost industrialisation of the area but also benefit the local people in general and farmers in particular,? Iffco chairman S K Jakhar said.
?In terms of employment and business opportunities, the SEZ is expected to generate employment for more than 10,000 persons, apart from largescale economic development of the region,? he added.
The SEZ would come up on an area of 2,800 acres of land already in Iffco?s possession. The site is located on NH 5 (Howrah-Chennai Highway) and is close to Krishnapatnam, which is being developed as a major port in south India.
Besides, developing the Kisan SEZ, there are plans to set up state-of-the-art technical training institute and construction training facility in the state to provide training in agriculture and post harvesting technologies, grain storage facilities and to upgrade construction-related skills. Iffco plans to adopt certain ITIs in the region and upgrade their facilities. It will also train local manpower at the institutes.
