Forest-Based Livelihoods to Get a Boost in Agriculture and Marketing with NABARD’s Support – CM Devendra Fadnavis

Pilot Warehouses Along Main Roads in Gadchiroli District for Infrastructure Development

Mumbai, Sept 2025 : To strengthen agriculture and forest-based livelihoods of rural tribal communities in Gadchiroli district, small pilot warehouses are being constructed along main roads for minor forest produce (MFP) and food grains. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his satisfaction over NABARD’s formal partnership and significant support in building these warehouses for storing food grains and forest produce.

Under NABARD’s Infrastructure Development Assistance and Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) schemes, warehouses are being set up on government land according to local needs in this aspirational district. These facilities will be useful for post-harvest management of minor forest produce, including sorting, grading, and storage, the Chief Minister said.

The pilot warehouse construction is being carried out with the Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Protection as the nodal department and the Public Works Department as the implementing agency.

As an aspirational district, this initiative is expected to significantly boost agriculture and forest-based livelihoods of tribal and rural communities in Gadchiroli. The proposal for these warehouses, linked to agriculture, marketing, rural development, and watershed projects, was promptly approved by NABARD. Chief Minister Fadnavis wrote to the Chairman of NABARD, appreciating the bank’s participation in this ambitious initiative that is set to transform the lives of tribal communities.

₹2,115 Crore Allocated Under RIDF for Rural Development Projects

The government is reviewing the initiative under the leadership of the Chief Secretary to ensure timely completion. Work is being coordinated through the CEO of Gadchiroli Zilla Parishad. Under the RIDF, ₹2,115 crore was allocated across government departments for FY 2024–25, with an additional ₹920.29 crore added this year. Of this, ₹138 crore has been earmarked for the Department of Food and Civil Supplies.

NABARD, BAIF, and WOTR to Support Warehouse Construction

As part of NABARD’s world’s largest grain storage scheme, the Gadchiroli District Cooperative Central Bank submitted five proposals. Action has been initiated under RIDF and NABARD’s Infrastructure Development Assistance. NABARD Chairman K.V. Shaji confirmed that work is underway.

Social development organizations like BAIF (Bharatiya Agro Industries Foundation) and WOTR (Watershed Organisation Trust), which are actively engaged in the socio-economic development of tribal communities, submitted project proposals to the District Collector of Gadchiroli. Based on NABARD’s refinancing support, necessary improvements were suggested and field inspections have been completed. A budgetary provision of ₹419 crore has been made under RIDF for these works.

BAIF has implemented several tribal development programs across various states, while WOTR has been working on watershed development for over three decades in 7,124 villages across 10 states, including Maharashtra. Through the combined efforts of the government, district administration, NABARD, and these social organizations, this vital initiative is being carried out in a systematic and time-bound manner.