Kerala has laid the foundation stone for its first Integrated High-Tech Vegetable Agro-Park, marking an initial step towards tackling post-harvest losses and modernising the state’s agricultural supply chain.

The ceremony was held at Thiruvizha in Cherthala, in Alappuzha district. The project is one of five vegetable agro-parks planned across Kerala and is aimed at reducing wastage of quality produce while improving farmers’ incomes.

The park will come up near National Highway 66 on 1.15 acres of land provided by the Revenue Department. It is expected to benefit vegetable growers in Alappuzha as well as Ernakulam, Kottayam and Idukki districts. Kerala Agro Business Company (KABCO) will construct and operate the facility.

Planned infrastructure and export standards

Once built, the agricultural complex will span 69,512 square feet and rise across five levels using modern pre-engineered technology.

Plans include cold storage and high-tech chill spaces, with air-conditioned warehouses designed to preserve vegetables at suitable temperature variations. An export-quality “pack house” will be set up to meet international market requirements. A national-standard laboratory is also proposed to ensure the quality of produce prepared for export.

The project blueprint features dedicated centres for value addition, enabling processing of raw vegetables into higher-value products. Computerised packing and stacking systems are planned to streamline operations. The park is designed with a daily processing capacity of 20 tonnes.

 
 

Refrigerated vehicles will be able to enter the premises directly for processing, storage and distribution.

Investment, sustainability and farmer focus

The agro-park is being developed under the Kerala Climate Resilient Agri-Value Chain Modernization (KERA) scheme with ₹50 crore secured through World Bank assistance. Of this, ₹32 crore has been earmarked for the building and ₹18 crore for machinery.

The design emphasises scientific storage, processing, value addition and export promotion. Solar power utilisation is planned as part of its sustainability focus.

The stated objective is to prevent losses faced by farmers after harvest and enhance income by extending shelf life and maintaining long-term quality. The park is also intended to serve as a support centre for young entrepreneurs and is projected to become a key hub for vegetable exports from Kerala, linking local production to national and international markets.