Rahul Gandhi in Amethi at foundation stone of Mega food park in Jagdishpur (Amethi)

Amethi: Congress Vice President, Rahul Gandhi on Monday laid the foundation stone of Shaktiman food processing plant - the first mega food park at Jagdishpur of Amethi district in Uttar Pradesh.

While speaking on the occasion, Rahul Gandhi, who is also the Member of Parliament from Amethi, struck an emotional chord with farmers and lauded their hard work for the country and also expressed his concern that the farmers are not getting adequate benefits. “The farmers are the most hard- working people, but they get the least benefits” said the Congress Vice President.

“Once this project is completed, different food processing units will be established here. This will benefit about 40000 people; will generate indirect employment for about 25000 and 2500 people will get direct placement” he informed. “We want to make Amethi the agricultural hub and our efforts are in that direction” added Rahul Gandhi.

“We get our strength from these people in front of me. Without their help, we cannot achieve anything.  These people are my family.. Now, we will together fight for the rights of the farmers in Amethi and I am confident that we will win this battle too and the farmers and aam aadmi here will reap more benefits” said the Congress MP amid cheers from the huge gathering.

Dr Charan Das Mahant, Union minister of state for agriculture and food processing and Kumar Mangalam Birla also attended the foundation ceremony.
The mega food park would be developed by Aditya Birla Group through Indo-Gulf fertilizer, one of its business arms. The plant would be constructed on about 72 acres of land. This land is planned to be developed on housing, educational and commercial standards.

It is estimated that the park would earn revenue of Rs 450 crore every year. It would be a lucrative job opportunity for all the local residents of Jagdishpur and nearby areas. Shaktiman Mega Food Park will offer essential services like dry warehousing, cold storage, a farmer friendly bank and fully equipped education and business centres. Farmers, food processors and the local economy will benefit most from this initiative.

This food park, spread over 72 acres, will have world class infrastructure for food processing, coupled with backward and forward linkages for the entire food processing value chain. It will implement best practices in post-harvest management.

Full text of Sh. Rahul Gandhi’s speech