Congress leader and Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi has urged the Union Food Processing Industry Ministry to consider setting up of a mega food park in his parliamentary constituency to augment agricultural income. Rahul has also written to Kerala Chief Minister in this regard.
In a letter addressed to Food Processing Industry Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Rahul said, "Wayanad is a major production centre for coffee and spices in Kerala. It is the largest producer of turmeric and the second-largest producer of pepper in the state."
"I urge the Ministry of Food Processing Industry to consider setting up a spice park in Wayanad, given the importance of creating sustainable livelihoods and improving price realisation of spices being cultivated," says Rahul.
"Wayanad is also home to a large number of homestead farms and small-holder plantations. Wayanad's home gardens are widely recognised for their suitable practices, with immense potential for organic farming," he further writes in the letter. Wayanad is one of aspirational district programme identified the 'increasing demand for Wayanadan crops like coffee, ginger, turmeric, scented rice and spices as a strength."
"It also points out that the cultivation of cash crops is a major source of foreign exchange earnings for the district. However, the District Action Plan highlights the need for a wider marketing network and value addition facilities for processing the spices," reads the letter.