Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Tuesday inaugurated a Rural Industrial Park (RIP) and an Incubation Centre in village Indagaon in Deobhog block of Gariyaband district.
The objective is value addition of the forest produce raw materials found in the region, an official communication said.
A total of 11 women self-help groups, having 150 women, will benefit from the centre. It will also have an indirect impact on the 16,000 families collecting forest produce in the development block.
The Indagaon forest area is home to mahua flower, its seeds, ‘chironji’ kernels, pulses, lac and other minor produce. The park will have processing units for chironji, lac, pulses, neem, mahua and safflower oil and spices.
The Chhattisgarh State Industrial Development Corp (CSIDC) will set up the RIP at a cost of Rs 7.42 crore.
The Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries will contribute Rs 3.75 crore and the state government will provide Rs 1.67 crore.
Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce (Trading and Development) Cooperative Federation, District Minor Forest Produce Cooperative Federation and Van Dhan Vikas Kendra will supply the raw materials.
The RIP would be the first of its kind of small industry in the forest area of Deobhog block.