Mumbai, July 14: Maharashtra will develop an international-standard agricultural market across 558.43 hectares (1,395 acres) at Dapchari in Dahanu taluka, Palghar district, aiming to directly connect the state’s farmers with global markets, Marketing Minister Jaykumar Rawal announced on Tuesday.
Addressing a press conference at Mantralaya, Rawal said the project, located about 40 km from the upcoming Vadhvan Port, will be developed on the lines of globally renowned agri-trade hubs such as France’s Rungis Market, Royal FloraHolland in the Netherlands, and the agricultural logistics ecosystem around the Port of Rotterdam. The facility is envisioned as a world-class agricultural trade and export hub catering to both domestic and international markets.
Principal Secretary of the Marketing Department, Praveen Darade, was also present.
Three-Tier Marketing System
The state plans to establish a three-tier agricultural marketing framework comprising:
International Agri Market
National-Level Market
Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs)
The initiative aims to strengthen the agricultural value chain through integrated export infrastructure, post-harvest value addition, transparent digital transactions, and modern market facilities.
*Facilities Under One Roof*
The Dapchari project will offer:
Wholesale trading
Import-export facilities
Cold chain infrastructure
Grading and packaging units
Multimodal logistics
AgriTech and commodity exchange services
Additional infrastructure will include warehouses, cold storage units, ripening chambers, quality testing laboratories, container terminals, railway siding, e-auction platforms, and export facilitation centres.
Boost to Maharashtra’s Agricultural Exports
Rawal noted that Maharashtra ranks first in India in the production of grapes, pomegranates, cotton, and pulses, and second in fruits and vegetables. The state accounts for nearly 15% of India’s total agricultural exports and 43% of the country’s fruit exports. The Dapchari market is expected to further enhance Maharashtra’s export competitiveness.
Employment and Farmer Benefits
According to the minister, the project is expected to: Reduce post-harvest losses by 15–20%
Cut transportation and handling costs by 15–20%
Generate over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs
Increase farmers’ incomes
Promote agro-processing industries and strengthen the local economy
The government believes the project will transform Maharashtra into a major global agricultural trade gateway by leveraging its proximity to the upcoming Vadhvan Port and world-class logistics infrastructure.
