AP Markfed to set up export zone

Hyderabad: With the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) commencing commercial operations connecting several global destinations, the Andhra Pradesh Markfed is setting up a 20-acre export zone exclusively for agricultural and horticultural produce.

Coming up at Shapur village, about 7 km from Shamshabad airport, the export zone would have a variety of facilities such as irradiation plant and cold-storage facilities.

“This will be useful both for exporters and importers as well. We are initially investing Rs 20 crore on the project. We have applied for land and part of it has already been identified,” Mr Y. Madhusudhana Reddy, Managing Director, AP Markfed, told Business Line.

“We will soon approach the Union Ministry of Food Processing for the necessary support. The zone would be handy for both exporters and importers,” he said.

Mr Ponnam Prabhakar, Chairman,Markfed, said the federation was establishing a cattle feed mixing plant in Karimnagar. Similar units would be set up in Chittoor and Tadepallegudem.

Keeping in mind the growing demand for Andhra Pradesh mangoes in India and abroad, the federation was also planning to set up an integrated pack house for processing the fruits.

It would also establish a spices processing complex at Guntur and coconut processing plant in East Godavari district.