Maharashtra Government has given nod for establishment of four primary processing centres (PPCs) in Vidarbha, with focus on orange. These modern PPCs are being set up through Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) Nagpur and Kalmeshwar respectively, and two others through farmers producers company in Katol and Morshi in Amravati district. Each of these centres would be provided grant of Rs 4 crore by the State Government while each of the centre has to raise 15 per cent of total project cost on its own. The PPCs are part of State intervention to cut down on post harvest losses by ensuring raising storage facilities that in long turn can provide buffer for farmers. In general terms, the policy was adopted long back but due to some reasons, it got delayed. Now, the State Government has given two-year extension with target of establishing these 4 centres in orange hub of Vidarbha within the current financial year.

 

Maharashtra State Agriculture Marketing Federation, Pune will be the nodal body for piloting the implementation and establishment of the PPCs. Apart from Nagpur and Amravati district, orange cultivation is also taken up in some form in Yavatmal and at Sangrampur area in Buldhana district. Through modern PPCs, they are to be set up near the farm gates that would cut down transportation cost. The primary work undertaken at these modern centres maximise farmer profits by centralising essential functions like are sorting the orange as per size and quality. Thereafter, the fruit is also thoroughly cleaned and packaged before being stored in cold units to maintain its freshness and enhance its shelf life. In all eight modern PPCs are planned in the current year and the aim is to strengthen the local agricultural ecosystem and increase the income for producers.

 

Mandarian orange is a delicate fruit, but the specialty of the citrus family seedling grown in this part of region is that it tangy and sweet-sour taste that differentiate it from other similar products. The PPCs will have facilities like pre-cooling chamber, ripening chambers. The exercise is undertaken on scientific basis and also zero energy cold storage logistics. Further, these fruits are transported in refrigerated trucks to curb spoilage and increase shelf life. The policy has detailed that each of the agency that has been sanctioned the PPCs, must have required land parcel with 30-year lease period. The PPCs, post establishment, will remain mortgaged with Government for a period of 30 years.