Mumbai, Oct 12: Agriculture Minister Dhananjay Munde of Maharashtra has appealed to World Bank officials to ease conditions on the number of agricultural production companies in the Marathwada and Vidarbha regions. This adjustment is sought to facilitate financial assistance from the World Bank under the Balasaheb Thackeray Agricultural Business and Rural Transformation Project (SMART).
Chairing a meeting in Mumbai on Wednesday, Minister Munde emphasized the need to enhance agricultural production in the low rainfall and low-income areas of Marathwada and Vidarbha. He proposed canceling the district-wise limit on the number of production companies.
Minister Munde recommended increasing the cost of cold storage from Rs 12,500 per tonne to Rs 17,500 per tonne to enable agricultural producers to expand their businesses and double their income. Additionally, he suggested linking cold storages with a capacity of 3,000 MT or more to nearby government solar power plants to reduce electricity consumption and bills.
In Maharashtra, where various food products like soybean, cotton, and turmeric are processed, Minister Munde proposed connecting these products directly to well-known reputed companies and establishing easily accessible marketplaces like Amazon for manufacturing companies. He directed World Bank, SMART, and Department of Agriculture officials to conduct joint meetings and workshops with quality agricultural production companies, global companies, and marketing companies to make further decisions.
To address possible fodder shortages in Vidarbha and Marathwada, Minister Munde recommended encouraging poultry production through agricultural production companies.”
