Government’s historic initiative towards realizing the Forest to Pharmacy model
Modern Ayurvedic processing unit constructed in an area of 27.87 acres at a cost of Rs 36.47 crore
Raipur, June 29, 2025
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai today inaugurated the modern Ayurvedic medicine processing unit and central storage 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 constituency of Durg district.
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that our government is fulfilling the guarantee of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi with full commitment. Our government is continuously moving in the direction of development for one and a half years. We are fulfilling the promises made to three crore people on priority basis.
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that three new herbal units will provide direct and indirect employment to about two thousand people. 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 the forests and transported to the plants, which will directly benefit the 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 Chhattisgarh will also be recognized as an Ayurvedic center at the national and international level.
Chief Minister Shri 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 during 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 should 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 Shri 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. With its launch, collection, processing and marketing of forest produce will be easy. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri 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. Shri Kashyap said that ‘Charan Paduka Yojana’ has been restarted in accordance with ‘Modi Ki Guarantee’.
Mahamandaleshwar Shri Shri 1008 Swami Kailashananda Giri Ji Maharaj also addressed the program and highlighted the importance of Ayurvedic medicines.
Before the inauguration, Chief Minister Shri Sai planted an Amla plant in the processing unit premises. Along with this, Forest Minister Shri Kashyap planted a Custard Apple plant, MP Shri Vijay Baghel planted a Bael plant and Mahamandaleshwar Shri Shri 1008 Dr. Swami Kailashanand Giri Ji Maharaj also planted a Custard Apple 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, tablets 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 seeds, Kalmegh, Giloy, Ashwagandha etc. This unit will become the main center for getting the state’s products recognized 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 modern warehouse with a storage capacity of 20,000 metric tonnes 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 Shri 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 Shri Sai showed sensitivity: He wore Charanpaduka with his own hands
On this occasion, a unique scene of human sensitivity and respect was also seen, when Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai lovingly put on Charan Paduka with his own hands to the beneficiary Smt. Shakuntala Kureti of village Badbhum (District Balod). Inspired by the initiative of Chief Minister Shri Sai, Forest Minister and other guests also put on Charan Paduka with their own hands to the beneficiaries – Smt. Vaijayanti Kureti, Smt. Nirmala Uike, Smt. Lalita Uike and Smt. Aghanteen Usendi.
On this occasion, Member of Parliament Mr. Vijay Baghel, MLAs Mr. Doman Lal Korsevada, Mr. Sampat Lal Agarwal, Mr. Lalit Chandrakar, Mr. Gajendra Yadav and Mr. Rakesh Sen, former Minister Mrs. Ramshila Sahu, former MLA Mr. Daya Ram Sahu, Mahamandleshwar Mr. 1008 Dr. Swami Kailashanand Giri Ji Maharaj, Chairman of Local Tribal Health Tradition and Medicinal Plant Board Mr. Vikas Markam, Chairman of Forest Development Corporation Mr. Ramsevak Paikra, Forest Force Chief Mr. V. Srinivas Rao, Managing Director of Chhattisgarh State Forest Produce Federation Mr. Anil Kumar Sahu and Executive Chairman of Federation Mr. S. Manikasagan were present.
