Mumbai: The state cabinet on Tuesday took a decision to give 558.43 hectares (1,378 acres) of land belonging to the animal husbandry department for an international standard agricultural market in Dapchari near Dahanu in Palghar district to the Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board. An international agricultural market will be developed in Dapchari on the lines of the market in Rungis, France.Located just 7 km south of Paris, the Rungis International Market (Marché International de Rungis) is the world’s largest wholesale food and fresh produce market. Spanning 234 hectares, it operates as a city within a city, feeding approximately 18 million people daily with an annual turnover of about €12 billion.“Dapachari is the site of the Dapchari dairy project of the Animal Husbandry department. Vadhavan port is very close to Dapachari. This area is famous for its agricultural sector. It is famous for the famous Dahanu chikus and mangoes and also has a fishing community and the potential for marine food processing industry,” officials said.“Palghar borders Nashik and Thane districts and also borders Gujarat and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. By road, Vadhavan Port is 40 kilometers away from Dapchari, Palghar is 62 kilometers away, Thane is 118 kilometers away, Mumbai Airport is 128 kilometers away and Navi Mumbai Airport is 149 kilometers away. At the same time, Nashik is 146 kilometers away, Pune is 270 kilometers away, Surat is 154 kilometers away, Vadodara is 278 kilometers away, Ahmedabad is 378 kilometers away. If an international standard agricultural market is established at Dapchari, the economy will be boosted at the national and state levels. It will be convenient for farmers, traders and consumers. So it was decided today to give the land of the Dapchari Dairy Project to the Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board free of charge for establishing an international agricultural market,” officials said.“Vadhavan Port is being developed in Dahanu. The centre and state govt have set a target of bringing Vadhavan Port among the top ten in the world. The port will be based on logistics and warehouse development. It is estimated that this project will increase the economy of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region from 140 billion dollars to 300 billion dollars by 2030. To develop Vadhavan region as the fourth Mumbai, the Bullet Train Corridor and Mumbai’s Coastal Road will be extended to Palghar.“The international market at Dapchari will have immediate access to Vadhavan Port. Highway and rail connectivity to Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka. Connectivity of fruits, vegetables, grains and spices from more than eight districts of the state to the group. The market will have an integrated auction platform – cold storage, warehouses. Export-oriented facilities, customs, quarantine, container bays. Farmers’ hostels, training centers, facility rooms. Solar energy, water recycling, waste management. Fire, CCTV, security system. Because of this income of farmers and fishermen will increase. They will have direct access to buyers/exporters. Post-harvest losses will be reduced by 15-30%. There will be direct employment opportunities of over 8,000 to 15,000. Special focus on local youth, women and tribal communities through skilling programmes,” officials said.“Exports of Chiku, Alphonso mangoes, other fruits/vegetables, marine products/seafood will be boosted through port connectivity and standardized infrastructure. Supply chain efficiency will be developed. Fragmentation will be reduced due to centralized, modern wholesale. Producers and consumers will benefit from transparent pricing and digital platforms. Investment promotion in Palghar district – Improved infrastructure benefits the surrounding area, eco-friendly operations and climate change-friendly infrastructure,” officials said.
