Bengaluru: Karnataka is set to add two new food parks in Shivamogga and Vijayapura, with detailed project reports (DPRs) expected to be finalised in the next 10–15 days, officials from the Food Karnataka limited said.The proposed park in Shivamogga will come up on 87.6 acres, while the one in Vijayapura will span around 75 acres. Officials further said the DPR is being prepared for financial concurrence and are looking for funding under the Nabard food processing fund.The move is a result of the state’s programme to set up a food park in each district when it was first announced back in 2022. Officials said the delay is due to lack of land allotment by KIADB and the agriculture department. A senior official from Food Karnataka Limited said: “We are planning these parks based on local demand and availability of raw materials in the region, with units such as cold storage for fruits and vegetables, milk packaging, bakery units and wine-related processing being considered.” “Other challenges will be addressed by ensuring plots are used only for agro-processing. The project was earlier proposed near Bengaluru but could not be taken forward due to non-availability of land,” the official added.Karnataka currently has eight food parks, of which five are operational, spread across over 740 acres. In Malur (87 acres), 22 units have been allotted, but only 14 are running, Bagalkot (100 acres) has 18 units, with just six operational, Hiriyur (106+ acres) hosts eight running units, and Jewargi (105 acres) has seven units functioning.Among mega food parks, India Food Park in Tumkur (110 acres) is functional to its maximum, while Favorich Mega Food Park in Mandya (60 acres) is still under construction.
