Farmers in Katol (Nagpur district), Warud, and Morshi (Amravati district) are set to benefit from three new orange packaging units proposed by the Maharashtra State Agriculture Marketing Board. The initiative aims to improve processing, storage, and export opportunities for oranges.
Each unit, with an estimated cost of ₹4 crore, has received approval from the state government. Operations are expected to commence by December 2025, according to Katol MLA Charansingh Thakur. Thakur, who also serves as a board member of the marketing board, confirmed that the tender process will begin soon.
The state will cover 50% of the cost, while the remaining amount will be funded by the respective market committees, an official from Thakur’s office stated. Each unit will be constructed on two acres of land, secured and owned by the market committee near existing markets.
The infrastructure will include roads, water supply, cold storage, pre-cooling chambers, and loading/unloading platforms. The facilities will also be equipped with modern assembly lines for cutting, grading, sorting, waxing, and packaging of oranges.
“The primary purpose of these units will be grading and waxing, with oranges classified into four categories—A, B, C, and D. A-grade oranges will be suitable for export or for sale in premium markets like Mumbai and Delhi, where demand for high-quality produce is strong,” said the official.
The official further stated that each unit will have a processing capacity of two tonnes per hour. Over the six-month harvest season, a single unit is expected to process around 5,000 tonnes, though the exact volume may vary based on farmer participation, crop quality, and overall yield.
A key advantage of these units is their strategic location within the market area, unlike most packaging facilities that are typically 15-20 km away.
“Typically, such units are located far from villages, requiring farmers to transport their oranges again after bringing them to the market. However, with these units built within the market committee premises, farmers will have easier and more convenient access, reducing both effort and transportation costs,” said the official.
Previously, oranges were packed in crates without grading, resulting in uniform pricing regardless of quality.
With the new integrated system, high-quality oranges will be identified, professionally packed, and exported, ensuring better prices for farmers. “This will improve their income and enhance the export potential of Vidarbha’s famous oranges,” the official said.
These units are expected to bring economic benefits to the region by boosting local employment, improving market linkages, and enhancing the overall efficiency of the orange trade in Vidarbha.
Katol MLA Charan Singh Thakur met Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in Delhi on February 11, seeking approval for the long-pending Mowad Municipal Council indoor stadium under the Khelo India scheme. According to sources, Mandaviya assured early approval and necessary instructions for its implementation.
BJP leaders Dinesh Thackeray and Satish Revatkar were also present during the meeting. The stadium is expected to boost sports talent in Mowad and nearby areas while creating employment opportunities for youth.