Kochi, Feb 19 (KNN) Kerala may soon set up spices processing cluster at Thodupuzha in Idukki offering processor facilities at par with the international standards. The Spikes Park will include 20 developed plots for allotment to SME spice food processing units covering about 10.5 acres.

The Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (KINFRA) has obtained the in-principle approval from the Central Government for setting up the cluster.

According to a release from KINFRA, “The regional crop specific Spices Park is a well-conceived approach to have an integrated operation for encouraging cultivation, post-harvesting, processing for value addition, packaging, storage and exports of spices and spice products by meeting the quality specifications of the consuming countries.”

The estimated project cost is around Rs 12.50 crore for the proposed park excluding the cost of land. The Spices Park will be established in an area of 15 acres.

The park will also have common facilities such as telecommunication/ cyber centre, documentation centre, raw material storage facility, marketing outlets, cafeteria, conference room.

Kinfra said the source of funding was met by availing a grant of Rs 6 crore under the MSE-CDP Infrastructure Development Scheme of Government of India and the remaining from Kinfra under the government of Kerala.

India produces more than 65 spices in different varieties out of the 109 spices listed by the International Organisation for Standardisation.

Kerala is the leading producer and exporter of spices and produces the largest volume of pepper, cardamom and ginger.