Mumbai, August 20: The Maharashtra government is accelerating preparations for an ambitious international agricultural market spanning 1,395 acres in Dahapchari, located in Palghar district. Modeled after France’s renowned Rungis Market, this state-of-the-art agricultural trade center aims to connect farmers directly with global markets. Officials claim that this project will generate approximately 10,000 local job opportunities.
On Wednesday, State Minister Jaykumar Rawal visited Dahapchari to inspect the proposed project site. He toured various sectors related to the project, gathering progress reports from officials and urging them to expedite the work.
Minister Rawal examined several areas within the project zone, including the Goshalas, Gohar Dhad Agricultural Department, and the New Mohra Agricultural Department. He held meetings with officials to discuss the current status and future plans for the initiative.
The inspection was attended by District Collector Subhash Bhagde, Babasaheb Thorat, Executive Director of the Marketing Board Sanjay Kadam, Assistant Project Officer Shailesh Sawant, Dahanu Tehsildar Sunil Koli, Sub-Registrar Kishan Ratnale, and other relevant officials.
Minister Rawal emphasized the Maharashtra government’s commitment to developing a modern, world-class agricultural market in Dahapchari. This facility will enable farmers from Vidarbha, Marathwada, North Maharashtra, Konkan, and Western Maharashtra to access broader markets.
He detailed that the market will feature advanced facilities for processing, packing, storage, and exporting various agricultural products, including fruits, vegetables, flowers, grains, fish, dairy, and meat.
The government plans to develop Dahapchari as an integrated multi-modal agricultural logistics hub. The project will benefit from connectivity to major infrastructures such as the Vadhavan Deepwater Port, Navi Mumbai International Airport, Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Samruddhi Mahamarg, Western Dedicated Freight Corridor, and Vadodara Expressway.
This will facilitate the transport and export of agricultural products, potentially reducing logistics costs. Additionally, it will promote the export of fruits, vegetables, flowers, grains, pulses, spices, and processed agricultural products.
Minister Rawal stated that the project will primarily benefit local residents, creating around 10,000 direct and indirect job opportunities, with priority given to local youth.
He noted that new job opportunities will arise in agricultural processing units, warehouses, cold storage, logistics, packing, transportation, and other support services.
Currently, local farmers and fishermen travel to Mumbai and Vashi to sell their products. With the establishment of the international agricultural market in Dahapchari, they will have a significant trading platform in their own region.
This will lower transportation costs, increase the likelihood of better prices for their products, and invigorate the local economy.
The minister clarified that there will be no displacement for this project. It will be developed on government land that has not been utilized for several years.
He emphasized that this is not just an agricultural market; it is an ambitious initiative to connect Maharashtra’s farmers with global markets and establish Palghar as an international agricultural trade center. The government is working diligently with all stakeholders to bring this project to fruition as soon as possible.
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