RAIPUR: In a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at enhancing tribal incomes and reducing post-harvest losses, Dantewada district in southern Chhattisgarh is establishing an integrated cold chain and multi-product food irradiation facility at Patarras village.
This cutting-edge infrastructure, the first government-led facility of its kind in India under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) is poised to transform how forest and horticultural produce is stored, processed, and marketed in the Bastar region.
Dantewada and the surrounding districts are rich in Minor Forest Produce (MFP) such as tamarind, mahua, wild mango, millets, and indigenous spices. However, due to the absence of proper storage, preservation processes, and value addition infrastructure, an estimated 10–20 per cent of these produce are lost or perish each year.
To address these critical issues, land acquisition for the project has been completed, and an agreement has been signed with the Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology to implement irradiation technology. The facility is now on track to become operational.
This comprehensive facility integrates cold storage, gamma irradiation, processing, and logistics infrastructure to extend the shelf life of produce, reduce spoilage, and significantly improve marketability.
The Dantewada administration has already mapped out potential markets for the local produce, including Raipur, Visakhapatnam, and other key urban centres.
“This is the first such government-led initiative in the country under PMKSY. It’s not merely an infrastructure project—it’s a game-changer for tribal livelihoods. It will help our forest produce collectors and farmers secure better prices, reduce wastage, and access larger markets. Over time, it will energise Bastar’s rural economy and create a value chain that truly belongs to the people here,” said Kunal Dudawat, Collector of Dantewada.
By reducing losses and increasing profitability, the initiative will directly boost incomes for tribal producers and create local employment opportunities across the supply chain.
The entire project is funded by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries and the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) of Dantewada.
The government emphasised that retaining value addition within the region will ensure more income remains with the tribal communities of Bastar.
The initiative also aligns with broader regional development strategies to counter left-wing extremism by expanding access to sustainable livelihoods.