Kerala CM Inaugurates Thodupuzha Spices Park, Calls for Emphasis on Global Markets

Kerala's KINFRA (Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation) has achieved a significant milestone in the processing and value addition of spices and related products by inaugurating a Spices Park near Thodupuzha, located in the picturesque region of Idukki. This ambitious project, built on a sprawling 15.29-acre plot, comes to fruition at a cost of ₹20 crore, signifying a remarkable endeavor under the Union government's MSME Cluster Development Programme.

The establishment of the Spices Park marks the successful completion of the first phase in the development of a 20-plot Spices Park by KINFRA. This comprehensive park features industrial plots equipped with essential infrastructure, including roads, water, and power supply. The basic amenities extend to a dedicated feeder connected to the KSEB substation, drainage systems, rainwater harvesting facilities, a security post, an effluent treatment plant, an administrative block, an amenities building, and an ATM kiosk.

During the inaugural ceremony, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan emphasized the growing demand for value-added products and its potential to drive the rapid growth of industrial parks in Kerala. He stressed the importance of enhancing the competence of small and medium enterprises in the global market, underscoring the need for entrepreneurs to look beyond local markets and implement quality-improvement strategies to meet international standards and earn the trust of consumers worldwide.

Chief Minister Vijayan urged entrepreneurs to leverage new-age technologies in creating a diverse range of products. The Spices Park is ideally positioned to facilitate the processing and value addition of spices and allied products in alignment with contemporary requirements.

Furthermore, Chief Minister Vijayan highlighted the potential benefits of the Spices Park for farmers, emphasizing its role in revitalizing the agriculture sector. He encouraged entrepreneurs to explore value addition for a wide array of products, noting that Kerala contributes to 75% of the country's spices exports.

Addressing challenges faced by the food-processing industry in Kerala, Chief Minister Vijayan recognized the absence of a robust market chain and the difficulty in finding new markets. To address these issues, the government plans to ensure markets for agricultural products through the involvement of the cooperative sector in agricultural marketing, with a budget allocation of ₹35 crore for this purpose.

State Industries Minister Rajeeve announced that the second phase of the Spices Park would be completed within nine months. Additionally, authorities have decided to develop a food-processing park at Cheruthoni, situated 60 km to the east, on a ten-acre plot allotted by the Water Resources Ministry.

HBL