New Delhi, March 24 (IANS): The food processing ministry on Tuesday awarded mega food parks to 17 successful bidders that include state-run units as well as Adani Ports.

"Participation of state governments will ease the process of obtaining clearances," Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal said, announcing the sucessfull bidders.

These mega parks are expected to attract an investment of over Rs.6,000 crore, provide employment to around 80,000 people and benefit over 50,000 farmers.

"These will play a catalyst role in bringing down inflation," Badal said of the food parks that need to be set up within 30 months.

These mega food parks that provide various facilities to food processors, farmers, retailers and exporters have been distributed among most states, including Punjab, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, Odisha, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Bihar.

The Mega Food Park Scheme of 2008-9 aims at establishing a strong food processing industry backed by an efficient supply chain, which includes collection centres, central processing center (CPC) and cold chain infrastructure.

The ministry has sanctioned 42 projects throughout the country of which 25 parks have already been allocated. Currently, four parks are working, while the government plans to make three more operational by the end of this year.