3 days ago
Vidarbha to have Rs10,000Cr Orange Economy in a Decade: Gadkari
Nagpur: Union minister
Nitin Gadkari
on Saturday projected that Vidarbha is on track to develop a Rs10,000-crore orange-driven economy within the next decade. Speaking at the inauguration of the secretariat building and incubation centre of the Indian Council of Technical Research and Development (ICTRD), Gadkari stressed on the transformative role of technology, startups and innovation in boosting the region's agriculture and rural economy.
Highlighting the successful integration of Spanish technology in orange cultivation, the minister said, "Farmers in Vidarbha have already begun to witness a significant rise in yield. In Valencia, farmers produce 25 to 30 tonnes of oranges per acre, while here we barely manage 4 tonnes. By adopting their model, we can significantly increase productivity and build an orange-centric economy."
Gadkari further emphasized the importance of high-tech agriculture, rural innovation and AI-led farming solutions.
"I first test every machine on my farm before recommending it to others. We've used agro innovations to increase onion yield in my farm in Dhapewada," he said.
Pointing to the success of pilot projects like the Baramati AI model in agriculture, he called for similar application in Vidarbha's orange cultivation. He revealed that a farmer business school from Valencia is also collaborating on knowledge transfer to the region.
Referring to Vidarbha's mineral richness and untapped resources, Gadkari said, "Seventy-five percent of Maharashtra's minerals are in Vidarbha, yet we still depend on imports. Out-of-the-box thinking and community-centric research are crucial."
He urged youth to shed dependence on the government and build startups that convert knowledge into wealth. "India now has over 1.8 lakh startups. We must become job creators, not job seekers.
Startups are the biggest weapon of development," he said, citing successful innovations like the Buldhana pattern of lake construction, and rice straw-based CNG production.
Gadkari also mentioned upcoming initiatives like a lithium-ion battery plant and the proposed Global University of Logistics and Skill Development on 100 acres in Butibori. "Skill training must be Vidarbha-centric. If NMC had thought of building dedicated marketplaces five years ago, vendors wouldn't be on the streets today," he remarked, also taking a dig at the civic body for failing in basic tasks like garbage collection.
"Futuristic technologies must be practically implemented. AI, info-tech and biotech can all contribute to a better tomorrow — but only if backed by local talent and grassroots effort," the minister added.
Gadkari also said that he would soon be starting a state-of-the-art International School in Nagpur. The school has been conceptualized by his daughter-in-law after a thorough study of some of the finest school of the country.
Former MPs Ajay Sancheti and Vikas Mahatme, former mayor Nanda Jichkar and member secretary of ICTRD Ketan Mohitkar were also present at the occasion.
