Itanagar: Union Food Processing Industries Minister Chirag Paswan on Sunday visited the under-construction Mega Food Park at Bandardewa in Arunachal Pradesh‘s Papum Pare district to assess the progress of the project.
The union minister was accompanied by senior officials from the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, along with key stakeholders, including the project’s lead promoter Likha Maj.
He reviewed the park’s current status and convened a meeting with officials of the Rongoge Mega Food Park Private Limited to gain firsthand insight into the on-ground situation.
The Mega Food Park, spread across 75 acres, is designed as a multi-functional agro-industrial hub focusing primarily on fruit-based processing and waste-to-wealth innovations.
Once operational, the facility is expected to handle around 70,000 metric tons of raw materials each month, significantly boosting local agricultural productivity and farmers’ income.
Likha Maaj, the park’s lead promoter, informed the minister of several challenges hindering its operational launch. These included water scarcity, landslide disruptions, delayed pollution clearance, and logistical hurdles, which collectively prevented the park from meeting its expected operational timeline.
He appreciated Paswan’s initiative to visit the site directly to assess the project’s status.
The union minister said, “I have discussed the matter with the Arunachal Pradesh government, and I have seen the real situation myself. There are indeed some communication and infrastructural challenges. However, I have spoken with Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who is also keen on making this food park functional. I assure that the park will become operational before my next visit to Arunachal.”
In addition to its central fruit-processing facilities, the park will encompass a comprehensive agro-ecosystem, incorporating 200 hectares of rubber plantations, 100 hectares of Thailand seedless lemon cultivation, and integrated livestock farms including piggery, goat farming, freshwater fisheries, and duckery.
ALSO READ: Arunachal Pradesh: Tourism Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona launches new tourism policy & logo
By employing a diversified model, the park seeks to maximize land productivity, encourage entrepreneurship, promote food innovation, and generate rural employment.
