🍊 Gadkari Urges Formation of Large FPCs to Transform Vidarbha’s Orange Economy

Calls for value-added orange products, local branding, and AI-driven farming to boost farmer incomes

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Union Minister and Nagpur MP Nitin Gadkari has called on orange farmers across Vidarbha to unite under large-scale Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) to drive value addition, branding, and global market expansion for Nagpur’s famed oranges. Speaking at Agrovision, the annual agricultural expo in Nagpur, Gadkari said collective enterprise is key to unlocking the region’s citrus potential.

Build FPCs, Build the Orange Economy

Gadkari urged local organisations to create a comprehensive database of orange growers to help unify farmers on a shared platform. He said FPCs must lead the charge in processing and marketing a diversified range of orange-based products, including:

• Juices
• Sweets and confectionery
• Dehydrated powders
• Cosmetic and wellness products

“These products should be processed locally, packaged locally, and branded for global markets,” Gadkari said, emphasising that Vidarbha must transition from selling raw fruit to building a value-added citrus industry.

Why Vidarbha’s Oranges Matter

The Vidarbha region — particularly Nagpur — is globally renowned for its deep-coloured, rich-flavoured, high-juice oranges, making it one of India’s most iconic citrus belts. However, Gadkari stressed that the region must now prioritise:

• Higher per-acre productivity
• Consistent fruit quality
• Sustainable cultivation
• Entrepreneurial thinking among farmers

Value addition, he said, is the most reliable pathway to higher incomes and long-term economic resilience for orange-growing communities.

AI Tools on Farms: Gadkari Shows the Way

Participating in a panel discussion on Artificial Intelligence in agriculture, Gadkari encouraged farmers to adopt AI-powered tools. He said he personally uses AI solutions on his own farm to optimise productivity and efficiency.

MoU to Accelerate AI Adoption

During Agrovision, the Agrovision Foundation — supported by Gadkari — signed an MoU with the Baramati-based Agriculture Development Trust (ADT), founded by Sharad Pawar.

The partnership aims to:

• Promote knowledge-sharing
• Accelerate adoption of AI technologies
• Strengthen farmer capacity through training and best practices

A Call for Citrus-Led Rural Transformation

Gadkari said Vidarbha’s orange sector can become a powerhouse of rural enterprise if farmers join hands under FPCs and embrace modern processing, branding, and technology. He assured full government support for farmer innovators and FPCs working to build a sustainable, value-added citrus ecosystem.