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Boost to Development in Tribal Villages
This Project Will Transform Bastar and Help Farmers Earn Better Prices
Raipur, 17 June 2025 – A major initiative is being launched in Dantewada district to preserve agricultural and forest produce for longer durations and ensure farmers receive fair prices for their efforts. For the first time, an advanced facility is being established in Patarras village with joint efforts from the Central and Chhattisgarh governments. This center will feature cold storage and employ radiation technology to prevent spoilage of grains and forest produce. The project is being implemented under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana and will be the first of its kind government-led facility in the country. It is expected to transform the economic landscape of Bastar.
No More Spoilage, Incomes Will Rise
Bastar region produces tamarind, mahua, wild mangoes, indigenous spices, and coarse grains like millet. Due to the lack of proper storage and sales facilities, 7 to 20 percent of the produce is wasted annually. The new facility will include cold storage units, freezers, radiation equipment, and large trucks for transportation. This will allow products to be stored longer, reduce waste, and enable farmers to earn higher prices.
What Will This Facility Include?
The project, estimated at around ₹25 crore, will be managed by the District Project Livelihood College Society, a body aimed at boosting employment in tribal areas. Key features of the upcoming facility in Patarras village include:
A cold storage unit with a capacity of 1500 metric tons
A frozen storage section of 1000 metric tons
Five smaller cold rooms
A blast freezer for rapid cooling of fruits
A ripening chamber
A radiation machine to preserve produce for longer periods
Three large transport trucks
A 70-kilowatt solar power system for energy efficiency
This facility will help preserve over 10,000 metric tons of produce annually, benefiting not only Dantewada but also neighboring districts like Bastar, Bijapur, Sukma, Kondagaon, and Narayanpur. Funding includes ₹10 crore from the central scheme and ₹14.98 crore from the District Mineral Foundation (DMF). Until now, such projects were mostly run by private entities; this marks the first time the government is independently establishing such a center, strengthening trust in public schemes across tribal regions.
More Jobs and Higher Income
The project is expected to generate annual revenue of ₹8.5 crore, directly benefiting farmers, forest produce collectors, and local youth. Employment opportunities will increase in rural areas, allowing many to find work within their own villages. This effort also contributes to sustainable livelihoods and peace in regions affected by left-wing extremism.
Work to Begin Soon – Markets Already Identified
Land for the facility has been secured and an agreement has been signed with BRIT, the organization providing radiation technology. Construction is expected to take about 24 months, with the facility fully operational within two years. Markets in major cities like Raipur and Visakhapatnam have already been lined up, and plans are underway to launch a special brand under the ‘Bastar’ name to distinguish local products and command better prices.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai emphasized that this is more than just a project—it is a foundation for the future of tribal brothers and sisters. Forest gatherers and farmers will now receive better prices, reduce losses, and connect directly with major markets. The entire operation will be run by and for the people of Bastar.
This initiative proves that with the right policies, government support, and community effort, even rural economies can thrive. It will also serve as a model for other tribal regions, ensuring tribal communities receive both their rights and due recognition. This project is set to give a new dimension to the identity and economy of Bastar.
