LAHORE: The Punjab government will invest Rs60 billion to establish four agro-processing park clusters in Sargodha, Okara, Khanewal and Bhakkar under its three-year Punjab Economic Transformation Plan, aiming to strengthen value-added agriculture, attract private investment and increase exports.
According to official documents available with WealthPK, the four clusters will provide shared cold chain facilities, certification services and modern business infrastructure. The initiative is expected to create investment opportunities for more than 500 companies and generate around 20,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Each agro-processing park will be developed over 250 acres, with an investment of Rs15 billion per park. The facilities will be strategically located near major agricultural production zones, including the citrus belt of Sargodha, the potato-growing region of Okara and the mango-producing areas of southern Punjab, particularly around Multan.
The parks will offer modern pre- and post-harvest processing facilities, including sorting and grading units, testing laboratories, certification services, cold storage, logistics infrastructure, training and information centres, and business support services.
To encourage private-sector participation, the government will introduce a range of industrial incentives, including a Rs50 billion special fund to reimburse duties on imported plants, machinery and equipment.
The agro-processing clusters will support the complete value chain for kinnow oranges and mangoes, covering farm collection, sorting, grading, packing, polishing, waxing and the production of value-added products such as pulp, puree and jam.
Similarly, the potato processing facilities will include farm procurement, grading, cold storage and manufacturing of dehydrated potato flakes, frozen French fries and potato chips.
Government estimates suggest the project will attract more than Rs20 billion in private investment, while over 500 companies are expected to benefit from the incentives offered under the programme.
The initiative is projected to enable annual exports of 40,000 tonnes of value-added citrus and mango products, along with 50,000 tonnes of value-added potato products.
The plan also includes the establishment of 20 value-addition units, with annual export earnings expected to increase by approximately US$200 million. In addition, raw agricultural exports are projected to grow by 5 percent, contributing to higher farm incomes, stronger agro-industrial development and enhanced export competitiveness.
