Chhattisgarh

• 20 May 2022

Tripartite Agreement for Setting Up of Minor Forest Produce Based Processing Units in Bastar division

Why in News?

• On 19^th May, 2022, two tripartite agreements were signed by the State Government for setting up of minor forest produce based processing units in Bastar division under the Vananchal Package.

Key Points

• The first agreement was signed with Bastar Botanics Private Limited, Kumhar Para, Bastar for setting up of Mahua Processing Centre in Kondagaon district and the second agreement was signed with M/s Kosar Agro Private Limited, Pune (Maharashtra) for setting up of tamarind processing centre in Bastar district.
• Under the agreement, Mahua Distillation Plant will be set up in Kondagaon district at a cost of Rs 4 crore by Bastar Botnics Private Limited with a capacity of 600 kilolitres per annum.
• Most of the products produced by this plant will be exported to other countries. With the installation of this plant, food grade mahua will be used in Bastar region, which will give additional benefit to the collectors of that area.
• Apart from this, A tamarind processing centre will be set up by M/s Kosar Agro Private Limited at village Chhindgaon in Lohandiguda development block of Bastar district at a cost of Rs.4.30 crore.
• Tamarind paste, tamarind seed powder and tamarind bricks will be prepared in this processing centre. The annual capacity of this unit will be 4500 MT per annum.
• With the establishment of this processing centre, the finished products will also be sold abroad outside the country while processing bastar tamarind and using its seeds.
• With the setting up of these two processing units, while the local people will get employment, the collectors of tamarind and mahua will get a fair price for their produce.
• It may be mentioned that earlier also a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed with the private investor for processing of Kodo, Kutki and Ragi in Kanker district.
• All these industrial units will start production soon, which will make it possible for processing of minor forest produce produced in the state within the state, which will directly and indirectly benefit more than 13 lakh tendu leaves and forestry collectors.