Historic initiative of the government towards realizing the Forest to Pharmacy model
Modern Ayurvedic processing unit built in 27.87 acres area at a cost of Rs 36.47 crore
Raipur 29 June 2025: Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai today inaugurated the modern Ayurvedic medicine processing unit and central store house complex built by Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce Cooperative Federation Limited and herbal extraction unit built under public private partnership by Sprayer Biotech Private Limited in village Jamgaon (M) under Patan assembly of Durg district. Chief Minister Sai said that our government is fulfilling the guarantee of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with full commitment. Our government has been moving continuously in the direction of development for one and a half years. We are fulfilling the promises made to three crore people on priority. Chief Minister Sai said that about two thousand people will get direct and indirect employment from the three new herbal units. 44 percent of Chhattisgarh’s land area is covered with forest area, which is a matter of good fortune for us. Raw materials of Ayurvedic medicines will be collected from forests and transported to plants, which will directly benefit forest dwellers. He said that this processing unit is the largest unit in Central India and will prove to be a milestone in the field of Ayurvedic medicine manufacturing. This will not only improve health services, but will also establish Chhattisgarh’s identity as an Ayurvedic center at national and international level. Chief Minister Sai said that the government has increased the collection rate for tendu leaf collectors from Rs 4,500 to Rs 5,500 per standard sack, which will directly benefit about 13 lakh tendu leaf collector families. Also, the ‘Charan Paduka Yojana’ which was closed in the previous government has been restarted, under which Charan Paduka was distributed to five beneficiary women today.
The Chief Minister called upon the people to join the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign. He said that every person must plant at least one tree in the name of his mother and protect it. This will not only protect the environment but will also maintain respect for the mother. Addressing the program, Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap said that Chhattisgarh has 44.10 percent forest cover, due to which there is abundance of forest produce. This processing unit is the largest unit in Central India. Its launch will facilitate collection, processing and marketing of forest produce. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai, Chhattisgarh’s forest produce will now make its mark in the global market. He said that 67 types of forest produce are collected in Chhattisgarh, which will directly benefit 13 lakh 40 thousand forest dwellers. Kashyap said that ‘Charan Paduka Yojana’ has been restarted in accordance with ‘Modi Ki Guarantee’. Mahamandleshwar 1008 Swami Kailashanand Giri Ji Maharaj also addressed the program and highlighted the importance of Ayurvedic medicines. Chief Minister Sai planted an Amla plant in the processing unit premises before the inauguration. Along with this, Forest Minister Kashyap planted a Sitafal plant, MP Vijay Baghel planted a Bael and Mahamandleshwar 1008 Dr. Swami Kailashanand Giri Ji Maharaj also planted a Sitafal plant.
It is noteworthy that the Ayurvedic processing unit is a historic initiative towards realizing the ‘Forest to Pharmacy Model’ by linking Chhattisgarh’s rich forest wealth with science and modern technology. Built at a cost of Rs 36.47 crore in an area of 27.87 acres, this unit will produce products worth Rs 50 crore per year. Here, quality products like powder, syrup, oil, tablet and Avaleha will be produced by organizing and scientific processing of medicinal and minor forest produce obtained from the forests of the state – such as Mahua, Sal Seed, Kalmegh, Giloy, Ashwagandha etc. This unit will become the main center for getting recognition of the state’s products in the national and international market under the ‘Chhattisgarh Herbals’ brand. Under the project, more than 2,000 people will get direct and indirect employment opportunities. This will ensure the participation of a large number of women, which will provide them self-employment. At the same time, the youth will get technical training, which will open new doors of livelihood at the local level. A storage capacity of 20,000 metric tonnes of modern warehouse has been developed in the unit, which will help in long-term preservation and quality control of seasonal forest produce. This project realizes the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. It not only presents an example of local value addition of forest products, but also strengthens environmental balance, economic development and social inclusiveness.
Chief Minister Sai showed sensitivity: made him wear Charan Paduka with his own hands. On this occasion, a unique scene of human sensitivity and respect was also seen, when Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai lovingly made a beneficiary Shakuntala Kureti of village Badbhum (District Balod) wear Charan Paduka with his own hands. Inspired by the initiative of Chief Minister Sai, Forest Minister and other guests also made the beneficiaries – Vaijayanti Kureti, Nirmala Uike, Lalita Uike and Aghnatin Usendi wear Charan Paduka with their own hands. On this occasion, MP Vijay Baghel, MLAs Doman Lal Korsewada, Sampat Lal Agarwal, Lalit Chandrakar, Gajendra Yadav and Rakesh Sen, former Minister Ramshila Sahu, former MLA Daya Ram Sahu, Mahamandaleshwar 1008 Dr. Swami Kailashanand Giri Ji Maharaj, Chairman of Local Tribal Health Tradition and Medicinal Plant Board Vikas Markam, Chairman of Forest Development Corporation Ramsevak Paikra, Chief of Forest Force V. Srinivas Rao, Managing Director of Chhattisgarh State Forest Produce Federation Anil Kumar Sahu and Executive President of the Federation S. Manikasagan were present.
