New Delhi: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy inaugurated Global Spices Processing unit established by ITC at the Spices Park at Yedlapadu in Palnadu district on Friday.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said the state-of-the-art Rs 200 crore facility will have a capacity to process 20,400 tonnes of spices such as turmeric, chilli, and blended spices annually in the first phase. When the second phase is completed in the next 15 months, it will be the largest spice processing complex in Asia, he said.
The plant will offer cleaning, grading, grinding, steam sterilisation, destemming, and packing services for 15 different spices, including chillies. He further said that the facility will directly and indirectly employ 1500 people and support over 14,000 farmers.
Noting that the government intended to develop food processing facilities in all 26 districts at a cost of Rs 3450 crore, CM Jagan stated that foundation stones would be layed in the next two months for the construction of 10 such units at a cost of Rs 1250 crore in the first phase. When all 26 units are built, it will benefit the farming community and generate employment for 33,000 people.
ITC Chairman Sanjiv Puri said, "This plant has state-of-the-art technology and adheres to all worldwide standards of safe food production in order to meet the needs of global clients. This will be consistent with our vision of inclusive and sustainable growth".
The facility also has renewable energy and would enable ITC to strengthen its footprint in the agri-value chain and empower farmers, he added.
(With inputs from ABP Desam — It is a Telugu platform of ABP News. For more news, commentary and latest happenings from two Telugu states, follow https://telugu.abplive.com//amp)