TFP Bureau, Raipur, June 17, 2025: A landmark initiative is underway in Dantewada district to safeguard agricultural and forest produce while ensuring farmers get fair prices for their hard work. For the first time, a state-of-the-art cold storage facility incorporating advanced radiation technology is being established in Patarras village. This joint project by the Central and Chhattisgarh Governments, under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana, is the first government-run cold storage of its kind in India and is set to transform the economic landscape of Bastar.
Preserving Produce, Increasing Income
The Bastar region is rich in unique crops such as tamarind, mahua, wild mango, indigenous spices, and coarse grains like millet. However, due to inadequate preservation and marketing infrastructure, 7 to 20 percent of this produce is wasted annually. The new facility will include cold storage with a 1,500 metric ton capacity, frozen storage for 1,000 metric tons, blast freezers, radiation machines to extend shelf life, and transport trucks — all aimed at reducing wastage and boosting farmers’ earnings.
Comprehensive Facility with Advanced Technology
Valued at approximately Rs 25 crore, the project is managed by the District Project Livelihood College Society, which focuses on tribal employment. Besides cold storage and freezing units, the center will have five small cold rooms, a ripening chamber, a solar power system, and three large trucks for distribution. It is designed to store over 10,000 metric tons annually, benefiting farmers and forest produce collectors from Dantewada and neighboring districts including Bastar, Bijapur, Sukma, Kondagaon, and Narayanpur. Funding comes from Rs 10 crore under the central scheme and Rs 14.98 crore from the District Mineral Fund.
Boosting Employment and Tribal Economy
Projected to generate around Rs 8.5 crore annually, the facility will provide direct employment opportunities for local youth and forest produce collectors, fostering rural job creation and economic stability. The initiative is also expected to contribute toward lasting peace and development in areas affected by left-wing extremism by promoting inclusive growth.
Ready Market and Brand Building
Land acquisition is complete, and a partnership has been signed with BRIT for radiation technology. The project is slated for completion in two years. Market linkages have been prepared in major cities like Raipur and Visakhapatnam to distribute Bastar products nationally and internationally. Plans are underway to develop a special Bastar brand to enhance product recognition and value.
Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai emphasized, “This is not just a project but a foundation for the future of our tribal brothers and sisters. With this facility, our farmers and forest produce collectors will secure better prices and direct market access, managed by the people of Bastar for the people of Bastar.”
This pioneering project showcases how effective policy, government support, and community efforts can drive rural economic transformation and set a model for other tribal regions across India.
