Maharashtra Plans International Agricultural Market in Palghar to Help Farmers Reach Global Buyers

Maharashtra to Build World-Class Agricultural Export Market in Palghar

The Maharashtra government has announced plans to develop a large international-standard agricultural market in Dapchari, located in Dahanu taluka of Palghar district. Spread across 558.43 hectares (about 1,395 acres), the project is expected to transform the way agricultural products are traded by giving farmers better access to domestic and international markets.

Marketing Minister Jaykumar Rawal shared the details during a press conference at Mantralaya, saying the project will strengthen Maharashtra's agricultural export ecosystem through modern infrastructure, advanced logistics, and digital trading facilities.

The proposed market will be developed by the Maharashtra State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB) under the guidance of the state government.

Designed on the Lines of the World's Leading Agricultural Markets

The upcoming agricultural market will draw inspiration from some of the world's most successful wholesale trading and logistics centers, including France's Rungis International Market, Royal FloraHolland in the Netherlands, and the advanced agri-logistics systems connected to the Port of Rotterdam.

These global models are known for combining trading, storage, transportation, quality testing, and export services in one location, making agricultural supply chains faster and more efficient.

Officials believe Maharashtra can create a similar ecosystem that supports both Indian and international buyers while improving returns for farmers.

Modern Infrastructure to Support Agricultural Exports

The proposed agri-market will offer a complete range of facilities needed for modern agricultural trade.

Some of the major features include:

• Wholesale agricultural trading centers
• Import and export support facilities
• Cold storage and cold chain infrastructure
• Warehouses for large-scale storage
• Fruit ripening chambers
• Grading, sorting, and packaging units
• Quality testing laboratories
• Container terminals
• Railway siding for cargo movement
• Multimodal logistics services
• Digital e-auction platforms
• Export facilitation centers
• Commodity exchange facilities
• AgriTech and value-added processing services

By bringing these services together, the government aims to reduce delays, improve product quality, and simplify exports.

Three-Tier Agricultural Marketing System Planned

The Maharashtra government also plans to introduce a three-level agricultural marketing structure to improve the state's overall marketing network.

The proposed system will include:

• International agricultural markets
• Markets of national importance
• Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs)

Officials say this approach will help create an integrated agricultural value chain supported by transparent digital trading, modern infrastructure, and export-oriented facilities.

Strategic Location Near Major Transport Networks

One of the biggest strengths of the Dapchari project is its location.

The proposed market will be situated around 40 kilometers from the upcoming Vadhvan Deepwater Port, one of India's largest planned port infrastructure projects. Industry experts expect the port to play a major role in increasing India's export capacity once operational.

The market will also enjoy connectivity to several important transport corridors, including:

• Vadhvan Deepwater Port
• Navi Mumbai International Airport
• Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT)
• Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Mahamarg
• Western Dedicated Freight Corridor
• Vadodara Expressway

This strong transport network is expected to lower logistics costs while making exports faster and more efficient for agricultural producers.

Government Expects Higher Farmer Income and Lower Losses

According to the state government, the project has the potential to reduce post-harvest losses by around 15% to 20% through improved storage, cold chain facilities, and faster transportation.

The government also estimates that transportation and handling costs could fall by a similar percentage, helping farmers retain a larger share of their earnings.

Officials expect the new market to create more than 10,000 direct and indirect jobs, while encouraging investment in food processing, packaging, logistics, and other agriculture-related industries.

Maharashtra Already Leads in Agricultural Production

Maharashtra remains one of India's strongest agricultural states.

According to the state government, Maharashtra ranks first in the production of:

• Grapes
• Pomegranates
• Cotton
• Pulses

The state is also among India's top producers of fruits and vegetables.

Government data indicates Maharashtra contributes nearly 15% of India's agricultural exports and around 43% of the country's fruit exports, making export infrastructure increasingly important for future growth.

A Major Step Toward Becoming an Agricultural Export Hub

Agricultural experts have long emphasized the need for better post-harvest infrastructure, integrated logistics, and export-ready supply chains to improve farmers' incomes. Recent government initiatives at both the state and national levels have focused on expanding cold chain networks, improving digital agricultural markets, and strengthening export infrastructure.

The proposed Dapchari International Agricultural Market aligns with these broader efforts by creating a single destination where farmers, traders, exporters, processors, and logistics companies can operate together.

If completed as planned, the project could strengthen Maharashtra's position as one of India's leading agricultural export states while helping farmers gain easier access to high-value global markets.