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MoU signed for Nilgiris, Theni agri export zones

By Our Special Correspondent

The Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa; the Agriculture Secretary, T. S. Sridhar (left), and the APEDA Director, S. Dave, after the signing of an MoU for establishment of agri export zones, at the Secretariat in Chennai on Thursday. — Photo: S. R. Raghunathan

CHENNAI FEB. 6. The Tamil Nadu Government today signed a memorandum of understanding with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Exports Development Authority for establishment of agri export zones for floriculture and mangoes.

Based on APEDA approval, the Government issued orders for establishing two more AEZs, one in the Nilgiris for cut flowers and the other for mangoes in Theni district.

The MoU was signed by the APEDA Director, S. Dave, and the Agriculture secretary, T.S. Sridhar, in the presence of the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa.

The Nilgiris AEZ would have a total investment of Rs.15.89 crores. At present, 150-200 medium high-tech floriculture units were functioning in the district.

The AEZ was expected to create new employment opportunities and encourage cultivation of alternate crop along with tea plantations.

The Theni AEZ would be set up with an investment of Rs.25.60 crores to cater for markets in Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, Virudhanagar, Tirunelveli and Kannyakumari districts.

Under this proposal, a nursery-cum-model farm at Batlakundu on nearly 100 acres, post-harvest networking infrastructure covering 20 collection centres, cold storages, common processing facilities for an aseptic pulping unit, and dehydration plants will be set up.

The finished products will be exported via the Tuticorin sea port (bulk) and the Madurai airport (samples).

The project would have 25 per cent share from the Government of India, 25 per cent from the State Government, and 50 per cent from the private sector. It would create new employment for 3,000 persons, according to an official press note.

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