Hope To Change Tragic Picture Of Vidarbha Farmer Suicides With Patanjali Plant, Other Initiatives: Nitin Gadkari
Nagpur News: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, after inaugurating the Patanjali Food and Herbal Park at Mihan in Nagpur, highlighted its potential to benefit farmers in the Vidarbha region. The event was also attended by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Patanjali co-founder Baba Ramdev, and the company's Managing Director, Acharya Balkrishna. Addressing the gathering, Gadkari emphasised that the new food park would bring much-needed relief to Vidarbha's farmers, particularly in a region where agricultural distress has led to numerous suicides. Support For Orange Farmers And Export Challenges Gadkari noted the efforts undertaken to improve the quality and production of Vidarbha’s oranges, ensuring better prices for farmers. He revealed that while oranges from the region are exported to Bangladesh, the 85% duty imposed by the Bangladeshi government poses a significant challenge by increasing logistics costs. "When I spoke to the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, she expressed willingness to reduce the duty if we, in turn, lower the interest charges," said Gadkari, underlining ongoing efforts to make exports more viable for Vidarbha's farmers. To further aid logistics, the Union Minister announced a new transport plan involving a dry port in Wardha. This facility will enable direct shipment to Haldia in West Bengal, from where goods can be transported to Bangladesh, thereby reducing costs for local farmers. Emphasising the significance of the initiative, Gadkari said, "Farmers in Vidarbha have been neglected for too long. With this food park and other initiatives, we hope to change the tragic picture of farmer suicides in the region." A Boon For Farmers: CM Fadnavis Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis echoed Gadkari’s sentiments, stating that the new food processing unit would significantly benefit farmers by ensuring that their produce is fully utilised. "This food park will be a boon for orange-growing farmers," Fadnavis said. He explained that the facility would handle sorting, grading, and processing of oranges, including skin and seeds, to maximise value extraction. Fadnavis also highlighted that, apart from oranges, the food park will process other fruits, preventing wastage and ensuring better market prices for farmers. Gadkari, who has a personal background in farming, spoke about using drones and electronic tractors in his own orange orchards. He vowed to support the Patanjali Food and Herbal Park initiative. "With Baba Ramdev’s blessings, I have received 11 honorary doctorate degrees, six of which are in agriculture. I will provide all necessary support for this project," he assured. The Union minister also announced plans to establish a new laboratory under Agro Vision to educate farmers about modern agricultural practices. (With PTI)
Nagpur News: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, after inaugurating the Patanjali Food and Herbal Park at Mihan in Nagpur, highlighted its potential to benefit farmers in the Vidarbha region. The event was also attended by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Patanjali co-founder Baba Ramdev, and the company's Managing Director, Acharya Balkrishna.
Addressing the gathering, Gadkari emphasised that the new food park would bring much-needed relief to Vidarbha's farmers, particularly in a region where agricultural distress has led to numerous suicides.
Support For Orange Farmers And Export Challenges
Gadkari noted the efforts undertaken to improve the quality and production of Vidarbha’s oranges, ensuring better prices for farmers. He revealed that while oranges from the region are exported to Bangladesh, the 85% duty imposed by the Bangladeshi government poses a significant challenge by increasing logistics costs.
"When I spoke to the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, she expressed willingness to reduce the duty if we, in turn, lower the interest charges," said Gadkari, underlining ongoing efforts to make exports more viable for Vidarbha's farmers.
To further aid logistics, the Union Minister announced a new transport plan involving a dry port in Wardha. This facility will enable direct shipment to Haldia in West Bengal, from where goods can be transported to Bangladesh, thereby reducing costs for local farmers.
Emphasising the significance of the initiative, Gadkari said, "Farmers in Vidarbha have been neglected for too long. With this food park and other initiatives, we hope to change the tragic picture of farmer suicides in the region."
A Boon For Farmers: CM Fadnavis
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis echoed Gadkari’s sentiments, stating that the new food processing unit would significantly benefit farmers by ensuring that their produce is fully utilised.
"This food park will be a boon for orange-growing farmers," Fadnavis said. He explained that the facility would handle sorting, grading, and processing of oranges, including skin and seeds, to maximise value extraction.
Fadnavis also highlighted that, apart from oranges, the food park will process other fruits, preventing wastage and ensuring better market prices for farmers.
Gadkari, who has a personal background in farming, spoke about using drones and electronic tractors in his own orange orchards. He vowed to support the Patanjali Food and Herbal Park initiative.
"With Baba Ramdev’s blessings, I have received 11 honorary doctorate degrees, six of which are in agriculture. I will provide all necessary support for this project," he assured.
The Union minister also announced plans to establish a new laboratory under Agro Vision to educate farmers about modern agricultural practices.
(With PTI)
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