The Hindu Business Line : AP signs pact for agri-export zone

THE Andhra Pradesh Government and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the establishment of an agri-export zone (AEZ) in Chittoor district.

The Apeda Chairman, Mr Anil Swaroop, and the State Industries Department Joint Secretary, Mr Kamal V. Rao, signed the MoU according to an official press release here

The Union Government has approved the setting up of the Rs 53.68-crore AEZ for mango pulp and fresh and processed vegetables. While the State Government would be contributing Rs 9.53 crore for the project, the Union Government would put in Rs 19.97 core. The remaining Rs 24.18 crore would be secured from private participation, banks and financial institutions.

The project envisages improving the mango yield from the existing 10 tonnes to 18 tonnes per acre by 2005. It is also aimed at enhancing the export of mango pulp and other value-added products to around Rs 150 crore by 2005 from the current level of Rs 80 crore per annum. At the same time, post-harvest losses would be reduced from 23 per cent to around 15 per cent.

Similarly, export of fresh and processed vegetables would be increased to Rs 24 crore per annum from Rs 1.75 crore in the next three-year period. The vegetables that would be exported include gherkins, frozen okra, baby corn and green pepper.

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