New milestone for Ayurveda; Over 2,000 jobs to be created, tribal communities to benefit
Durg, Chhattisgarh:
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Sunday inaugurated a state-of-the-art Ayurvedic medicine processing unit and central warehouse at Jamgaon in Durg district. The facility, developed by the Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce Cooperative Federation, is expected to transform the state into a national and international hub for Ayurveda-based healthcare.
The facility includes a herbal extraction unit established through a public-private partnership with Sprayer Biotech Private Limited. The CM announced that the project is likely to generate over 2,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities, significantly boosting the local economy.jm
Leveraging Forest Wealth for Sustainable Growth
“With nearly 44% of the state’s land under forest cover, this is both a privilege and a responsibility,” said CM Sai. He emphasised that the raw materials for Ayurvedic medicines will be sustainably sourced from the forests, directly benefiting tribal communities and enhancing forest-based livelihoods.
Biggest Ayurvedic Unit in Central India
CM Sai highlighted the significance of the project, calling it the largest Ayurvedic medicine processing facility in Central India. Spread across 27.87 acres and built at a cost of ₹36.47 crore, the unit is projected to produce Ayurvedic products worth ₹50 crore annually. The processed items will include powders, syrups, oils, tablets, and avaleha using key forest produce such as giloy, ashwagandha, kalmegh, mahua, and sal seeds.
Support for Tribals and Forest Workers
The Chief Minister also announced a hike in the procurement rate for tendu leaves—from ₹4,500 to ₹5,500 per standard sack—benefiting nearly 13 lakh tribal families. He also relaunched the ‘Charan Paduka Yojana’, under which forest workers are provided with protective footwear. Five female beneficiaries received footwear during the event.
Green Drive for a Cause
Urging citizens to connect emotionally with nature, CM Sai appealed to all to join the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign by planting a tree in honour of their mothers.
Integration of Tradition and Technology
Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap praised the initiative, stating it will streamline the collection, processing, and marketing of 67 varieties of minor forest produce, impacting 13.4 lakh forest-dependent families. He said the facility is a model of integrating traditional knowledge with modern science under the “Forest to Pharmacy” approach.
Skilling and Branding
The unit will also serve as a centre for skill development, offering technical training to local youth for enhanced employment opportunities. A modern warehouse with a 20,000-metric-tonne capacity has also been established to support quality storage and long-term processing.
‘Vocal for Local’ in Action
Officials stated that the facility will be instrumental in promoting the ‘Chhattisgarh Herbals’ brand at national and international levels. The entire project aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, highlighting Chhattisgarh’s role in India’s sustainable development journey.
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