Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai inaugurated a state-of-the-art Ayurvedic medicine processing unit and central warehouse at Jamgaon (M) in Durg district today. Built across 27.87 acres at a cost of ₹36.47 crore, the facility is a historic step under the Forest-to-Pharmacy model led by the Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce Cooperative Federation.
The CM also inaugurated a herbal extraction unit developed under a Public-Private Partnership with Sprayer Biotech Pvt. Ltd. During the ceremony, he highlighted the state government’s commitment to fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guarantees, with focused efforts over the past 18 months to deliver on promises made to 3 crore citizens.
Sai emphasized that the establishment of three new herbal units will generate direct and indirect employment for nearly 2,000 people, especially benefiting forest-dwelling communities. “Chhattisgarh, with 44% forest cover, is fortunate. Medicinal raw materials collected from forests will reach these plants, ensuring direct benefits to forest dwellers,” he said, adding that this facility is Central India’s largest Ayurvedic processing plant and will become a milestone in herbal medicine manufacturing.
Tendu Leaf Price Hiked, ‘Charan Paduka’ Scheme Revived
The CM announced a price hike in the Tendu leaf collection rate from ₹4,500 to ₹5,500 per standard sack, benefiting around 13 lakh collector families. He also revived the ‘Charan Paduka Yojana’, which had been discontinued under the previous government. Five beneficiary women were given footwear under this scheme during the event.
In a touching gesture, CM Sai personally helped Shakuntala Kureti, a beneficiary from Balod, wear the ‘Charan Paduka’, followed by similar acts from Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap and other dignitaries, who offered footwear to other beneficiaries including Vaijayanti Kureti, Nirmala Uike, Lalita Uike, and Aghanthin Usendi.
The Chief Minister urged citizens to join the ‘One Tree in Mother’s Name’ campaign, encouraging everyone to plant and care for at least one tree in honor of their mother — a symbolic gesture promoting both environmental conservation and maternal respect.
Ayurvedic Industry Boost: From Forests to Global Markets
Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap noted that Chhattisgarh’s 44.10% forest area yields 67 types of minor forest produce, directly benefiting 13.4 lakh tribal people. With the opening of this processing unit, the collection, processing, and marketing of forest produce will become more organized. The unit will help Chhattisgarh’s forest economy expand into global markets under the leadership of CM Sai.
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The facility will process herbal resources such as Mahua, Sal seeds, Kalmegh, Giloy, Ashwagandha, etc., to produce powders, syrups, oils, tablets, and herbal confections under the ‘Chhattisgarh Herbals’ brand, targeting national and international markets. With a 20,000 MT storage capacity warehouse, it will support long-term preservation and quality control of seasonal forest products.
The unit will produce ₹50 crore worth of Ayurvedic products annually, aligning with PM Modi’s ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ vision. It aims to empower women and youth, providing employment, skill development, and boosting local livelihood and environmental balance.
Prominent Attendees and Closing Rituals
The event was graced by MP Vijay Baghel, MLAs Doman Lal Korsevada, Sampat Lal Agrawal, Lalit Chandrakar, Gajendra Yadav, and Rikesh Sen, former minister Ramshila Sahu, former MLA Dayaram Sahu, and Mahamandaleshwar Swami Kailashanand Giri, who emphasized the importance of Ayurvedic healing.
Among others present were Vikas Markam (Chairman, Tribal Health and Medicinal Plants Board), Ramsevak Paikra (Chairman, Forest Development Corporation), V. Srinivas Rao (Head of Forest Force), Anil Kumar Sahu (MD, Forest Produce Federation), and S. Manikasan (Executive President, Federation).
Before the inauguration, CM Sai planted an Amla sapling, Forest Minister Kashyap planted custard apple, MP Baghel planted Bael, and Swami Kailashanand Giri also planted custard apple, symbolizing the project’s deep connection to nature.
