Gadkari, Fadnavis Inaugurate Patanjali’s ‘Mega Food & Herbal Park’ at MIHAN Nagpur
The city of Nagpur recently witnessed a historic milestone with the inauguration of Asia’s largest orange processing plant, the Patanjali Mega Food & Herbal Park, by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. This initiative, spearheaded by Swami Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna, is set to revolutionize the region’s agricultural and economic landscape.
The Vision Behind the Mega Food Park
This ambitious project aligns with Patanjali’s mission to promote self-reliance in agriculture and boost farmers’ prosperity. Chief Minister Fadnavis emphasized that the collaboration between Nitin Gadkari, Swami Ramdev, and Acharya Balkrishna has brought this vision to reality despite numerous challenges.
A Boon for Farmers in Vidarbha
- Centralized Orange Processing Hub: The facility will serve as a sorting and grading center for oranges.
- Cold Storage Facility: Farmers can store their produce for extended periods and sell them when market prices are favorable.
- Better Pricing for Farmers: Small oranges that earlier fetched ₹12/kg will now be bought at ₹18/kg by Patanjali.
- Increased Orange Production: Efforts are being made to enhance the yield from 4-5 tons per acre to 25-30 tons.
Maharashtra Government’s Support
The Maharashtra government has assured complete support to Patanjali to ensure the success of this project. The commitments made by the state and Patanjali are being fulfilled step by step, benefiting local farmers and ensuring sustainable agricultural growth.
Nitin Gadkari’s Vision for Agro Development
Nitin Gadkari expressed gratitude to Swami Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna for choosing MIHAN, Nagpur, as the base for this massive food processing unit. He highlighted the importance of technological advancements and the role of the food park in reducing farmer suicides in Vidarbha.
Swami Ramdev’s Commitment to Health and Agriculture
Swami Ramdev described Nagpur as an ideal city for industrial and spiritual development. He underscored the health benefits of orange juice, stating that it is a powerful anti-aging drink, unlike other market products that contain excess sugar and preservatives.
Asia’s Largest Orange Processing Plant
- Investment: Patanjali has invested ₹1,000 crore in this facility, with an additional ₹500 crore planned.
- State-of-the-Art Machinery: The plant is equipped with advanced processing units sourced globally.
- Daily Processing Capacity: 800 tons of oranges per day.
- Pesticide-Free Production: 100% pure orange juice with no preservatives or added sugar.
Acharya Balkrishna’s Perspective
Acharya Balkrishna credited three key leaders for this project—Swami Ramdev, CM Devendra Fadnavis, and Nitin Gadkari. He stated that this food park would eradicate poverty and transform Vidarbha’s economy by ensuring direct farmer benefits.
Eradicating Middlemen and Ensuring Farmer Welfare
Regional MLA Ashish Deshmukh emphasized the need to eliminate middlemen so that farmers receive direct benefits. He hailed the food park as a beacon of hope for the struggling farmers of Maharashtra.
Economic and Employment Boost
- Job Creation: Thousands of employment opportunities for youth in Nagpur and nearby regions.
- Infrastructure Development: Strengthening Nagpur’s position as a food processing hub.
- Market Expansion: Patanjali’s international reach will boost export potential for Indian agricultural products.
Inauguration Event Highlights
The event saw the presence of several prominent personalities, including:
- Ashish Jaiswal (MLA)
- BJP National Co-Organization Secretary Shiv Prakash
- Patanjali Foods Ltd MD Rambharat
- Prof. Sadhvi Devpriya, Swami Parmarth Dev, and other spiritual and business leaders
The inauguration of the Patanjali Mega Food & Herbal Park at MIHAN, Nagpur, is a monumental step towards agricultural and economic self-sufficiency. With its cutting-edge technology, direct farmer benefits, and government support, this initiative is set to revolutionize the food processing industry in India. As Vidarbha’s farmers embrace this transformation, the region moves closer to economic prosperity and agricultural excellence.
1. What is the purpose of the Patanjali Mega Food & Herbal Park?
The primary objective is to process and grade oranges, provide cold storage facilities, and ensure fair pricing for farmers, ultimately boosting their income.
2. How does this initiative benefit farmers?
Farmers will have access to storage solutions, better pricing, and direct sales opportunities, reducing dependency on middlemen and market fluctuations.
3. What is the processing capacity of the plant?
The plant has a daily processing capacity of 800 tons of oranges, making it the largest facility in Asia.
4. How does this project contribute to employment?
Thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities will be created in the fields of agriculture, processing, packaging, and logistics.
5. What are the future plans for this project?
Patanjali plans to invest an additional ₹500 crore to expand the plant and enhance production capabilities, benefiting more farmers in the region.
