Spice Park will come into existence in Sivaganga district in Tamil Nadu State with the expenditure of Rs. 18 crore. The project is meant to boost economic growth in and around the region of Sivaganga district. The foundation for the park was laid by Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram at a function at Kottakavadi near Sivaganga.

 

Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh on the occasion said the proposed spices park would establish machinery for cleaning, sorting, grading, packaging, storing, sterilising and other work. The project accordingly will focus on chilli production which is a leading crop in Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga and nearby districts. Stress would also be on turmeric production.

 

Mr Ramesh further said that there was a demand to open the park at Salem and Erode, where turmeric crop was abundant, but selection of Sivaganga is done to meet development goal of undeveloped area. Finance Minister P Chidambaram said that three companies based in South Africa, Malaysia and Sri Lanka have agreed to set up their units in the Sivaganga Spice Park.