An expressway to prosperity
Preface
In our previous article we had talked about how using the locally available resources one can build a MODERN ECONOMIC CORRIDOR in the region that stretches from Chamarajanagar to Bidar, all along the Kalyana Patha expressway (E-way).
This article talks about the development of the towns and cities along the E-way. We start with Chamarajanagar and its nearby towns.
Recently a part of Kalyana Patha NH150A between Byrapura and Challakere section developed by Dilip Buildcon
#nh150a Byrapura to Challakere section by Dilip buildcon pic.twitter.com/GIFlNSa7fQ
— Sangeeth (@sangeeth_gvr) January 2, 2021
Introduction
“Harness the strengths of each town and build on it”, should be the mantra of development in the region. While investing on the industrial front, care should be taken to use as much locally available resources as possible OR those sourced from within the region OR sourced from places which have good connectivity to the region. This cuts the unnecessary logistics costs, and the resources can be men and raw-materials.
Each of the towns should be screened for its strengths, and the objective of the development should only be to BOOST THE LOCAL ECONOMY of the town. Enhanced economy creates more JOBs, with JOBS comes PROSPERITY knocking at the door.
Chamarajanagar
BioEnergy
The Chamarajanagar is the southernmost tip of Kalyana Patha E-way. The district’s strength lies in agriculture. However, the district suffers from scanty rainfall and frequent droughts, and because of this water is a SCARCE RESOURCE there. So, keeping that in mind, the government should encourage farmers to explore cultivating biofuel bearing crops in large swathes of dry OR semi dry lands in the district.
The biofuel bearing crops require very minimum water and can grow in even dry weather. By growing this crop the farmers can increase their income.
Biodiesel Refineries
The government should invite private companies with incentives to set up small biofuel refineries at strategic places in the district. The refineries are used to distill biodiesel from the crops grown by the farmers. The biodiesel so produced should match the standards set by the Indian petroleum ministry.
Biofuel Crop Growers Association (BCGA)
The state government should facilitate the formation of BCGA under whose jurisdiction the growers from all towns/ cities of the region all along the Kalyana Patha, should come. BCGA can help growers collectively bargain with the government and the private parties.
Biodiesel Refiners Association
The private entities of the region who have invested money on establishing refineries also need to come together to form an association for collectively bargaining with Biodiesel buying companies and the government.
The refiners should be allowed to export their produce if there is a need. The government should support it. The association can do COLLECTIVE MARKETING of Biodiesel.
Bio-waste Processing Unit
Bio-waste from agriculture harvest, vegetable markets, animal slaughterhouses and wasted food from wedding choultries, restaurants and houses, can be processed to produce Biogas which can be used as fuel to cook food. The Central government has already come up with biogas policy to support this. Even the biogas can be obtained from TREATING the SEWAGE from the cities & towns.
The Karnataka government should now come out with policies supporting the establishment of bio-waste processing units to produce biogas from waste. These units can come up at strategic places throughout the Kalyana Patha region.
Biogas Bottling Plants
Imported Liquified petroleum gas (LPG) being used for cooking purposes is draining out India’s forex, which is creating a big problem. Instead of betting on imported gas for cooking, why not use domestically produced Biogas for that?
The biogas obtained from processing bio waste needs to be bottled, marketed, sold and distributed. The government should invite private companies with lots of incentives to set up biogas bottling plants at strategic locations in the villages and towns. Cost of biogas cylinders will be much less and affordable when compared to LPG gas cylinders.
Bioslurry as BioManure
The bioslurry from the biogas plants is very rich in micronutrients which can be used as bio fertilizer OR bio manure during the farming process. This product can be sold to farmers at a reasonable cost.
Plastic Garbage Recycling Units
Plastic has become a part of day-to-day life without which it is impossible to imagine life. But plastic is hazardous for the environment and is polluting our water bodies, air, agriculture crops, seas, oceans, etc.
However, if the plastic can be melted and mixed with bitumen and used in road laying, that road lasts quite long. This way we can solve the plastic problem once-and-for-all.
The advantages of using waste plastics for road construction are as follows
- The process is easy and does not need any new machinery.
- Usage of plastic in road laying results in reduced usage of bitumen, so cost saving.
- Plastic increases the aggregate impact value and improves the quality of flexible pavements.
- Wear and tear of the roads will decrease to a large extent.
- This will reduce the wear & tear of vehicle tires, and increase the durability of shock absorbers and engine. In a way it enhances the life of vehicles.
The government should invite companies to set up plastic recycling units throughout the region and Kalyana Patha E-way should be laid using plastic mixed bitumen. Also, all new roads in the region should be laid using plastic mixed bitumen for better durability. By this all ragpickers will get busy earning decent money.
How to create the Biowaste Economy?
The government should create a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), a legal entity with the focused mandate to HOLISTICALLY PLAN and IMPLEMENT the biogas economy across the Kalyana Patha region.
SPV should have SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS (SME), legal experts, law makers etc. on its roll. They will work towards creating an environment which facilitates the creation of a thriving bio waste/ biogas economy.
Food Park
Chamarajanagar grows a wide variety of agriculture products, fruits and vegetables which can be processed, packed, distributed and sold with the help of private companies. A food park with a minimum size of 500 acres can be envisaged to host food processing companies.
The government can offer incentives to attract investments.
Dairy Farming
World-over the popularity of A2 MILK OR the milk obtained from “DESI COW” is growing fast. Farmers can be encouraged to involve in A2 desi cow farming as one of the sources of income. The government can promote dairy farming aggressively.
Dairy Park
Several large MNCs and medium sized DAIRY COMPANIES can be invited to set up shop in a 250 acres DAIRY PARK where they make value added products from the Authentic A2 milk sourced from the farmers. The products are as follows
- A2 milk cheese
- A2 milk butter
- A2 milk ghee
- A2 milk paneer
- A2 milk ice cream
- A2 milk curd
- A2 milk whey protein powder
- A2 milk based immunity boosting products
Care should be taken that the cattle depends on only ORGANIC FEED, so that the milk RETAINS all its inherent MICRONUTRIENTS.
Large dairy farmers can even establish their own biogas (GOBAR GAS) obtained from cow urine and cow dung for cooking purposes.
Textile Parks
Chamarajanagar farmers grow a lot of cotton and companies from TamilNadu, as it is close to the district, can be invited to set up cotton spinning and weaving units in the 1000 acres textile park.
Also, large organizations who are into making readymade garments, home furnishing spread across India can be invited with incentives to establish units there.
Silk Park
In Chamarajanagar MULBERRY FARMING and SILKWORM REARING existed as an industry for ages now. However, a lot needs to be done by the government to increase the production, and to boost the SILK ECONOMY.
A 500 acres SILK REELING/ WEAVING and FABRIC MAKING park needs to be established with private participation. Another silk park of 500 acres needs to be set up to make SILK GARMENT/ DRESS MATERIAL and HOME FURNISHING for export as well as domestic consumption. Large and medium sized MNCs from India and abroad should be invited to establish units in the silk park with lots of incentives.
The government’s single minded focus should be to CREATE JOBS and BOOST INCOME of the people involved in the industry.
Technical Textile Park
Technical textiles market is expected to grow from USD 177 billion in 2018 to reach USD 220 billion by 2022. The share of Indian contribution to the world technical textiles market is about just 4-5%.
The technical textile industry market size in India for the year 2017-18 is approximately USD 15 billion in size. However, the demand for technical textiles is growing fast and is expected to cross USD 25 billion by the year by 2022. So, technical textiles is a SUNRISE INDUSTRY for India in the 2020s decade, which needs to be diligently tapped and this has to happen with renewed focus.
The government can invite technical textile MNCs from across the globe to base their units in the region.
Following table talks about various technical textile varieties neatly categorized for an easy understanding.
Furniture Park
The government should create a furniture park on a 500 acre plot and invite MNCs, with lots of incentives, to establish units for making furniture for the Indian and foreign markets. Even the SMEs can be invited for setting up units in the park.
Warehousing
For the goods produced in the district, the government should invite professional logistics companies with PAN INDIA operations to build and operate sophisticated warehouses equipped with the STATE-OF-THE-ART equipment and cold storages to store perishable food items.
These warehouses should be located at strategic locations throughout the Kalyan Patha region.
Agroforestry
Sandalwood Cultivation
Sandalwood plantation has taken to fancy in Karnataka, as it is the most economically rewarding crop in the world. It is turning out to be a long term investment bet for the cultivators.
However, the majority of the farming community is not aware of that. Since 2001 even the government is supporting the sandalwood cultivation by changing few archaic regressive laws. As per the changed law, sandalwood can now be grown on private land. After trees mature, they need only be sold to the government owned Karnataka Soaps and Detergents limited (KSDL).
The government provides saplings and offers training on the cultivation, harvest and safeguarding of trees so that farmers benefit the most. One kilo of matured sandalwood costs around Rs. 15,000 currently. As demand grows the rate also soars high.
A four acres of land having 2500 sandalwood trees can fetch more than Rs. 15 Crores in a span of 10 years. Money invested to take care of the trees could approximately be Rs. 10 lakhs in that period, depending on the land and topography.
For more details on sandalwood cultivation please visit following sites
Mahogany Cultivation
Mahogany tree, known for its unique texture and hardness, is cultivation friendly and can fetch very good returns on the money invested for the farmer, in the medium and long term basis. It can be cultivated as an intercrop with coconut, mango, guava, jackfruit or any other kinds of fruit bearing trees.
Mahogany wood is used for making fashionable, durable furniture and cabinets (residential and commercial). The wood also can be used in making boats, ships, musical instruments like Piano, violin, guitar etc.
It is also used to make house doors, and also in the architectural millwork. There is a huge export market for finest mahogany wood, exporting which can fetch millions of USD for the farmers.
More information on Mahogany:
Rosewood Cultivation
Rosewood OR Sheesham tree is one of the most sought after woods known for its unique texture and hardness. The furniture(residential and commercial), doors, music instruments and many other products made from Rosewood look quite premium and classic and last for generations despite needing very little maintenance.
Since there is a HUGE GAP in the supply and demand, the cost of Rosewood is always high. The cultivation is bereft of any complications with little requirement of water and care. The Rosewood can be a long term bet for earning good returns.
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More information on Rosewood:
Government’s help is required
The government should create a STATUTORY BODY with the single minded focus to boost farm income by aggressively promoting HIGH-VALUE, HIGH-REVENUE generating crops across the region along the Kalyana Patha E-way. The body should contain agri-specialists, agri-industrialists, law-makers and others with proven track record.
Care should be taken to promote ECOLOGICALLY SUSTAINABLE farming practices and use of DRIP IRRIGATION everywhere to make sure agri produce retains all the MICRO NUTRIENTS and the cultivable land retains moisture.
Tourism
Chamarajanagar is blessed with virgin waterfalls, rivers, ancient temples, forests, hills and many more. The government can promote tourism bigtime by engaging expert marketing agencies with past experience.
Hotels
The Chamarajanagar lacks in quality hotels for the businessmen and tourists to come and stay. The government should invite hospitality tycoons to establish 3*, 4* and 5* hotels in the Chamarajanagar city. They can be showered with lots of incentives to set up hotels there.
What’s in store for the government?
This is the question that runs in the minds of many ministers. However Kalyana Patha project, if implemented in totality like what has been discussed above, can transform the region for the better like never before, thus earning the goodwill and loyalty of the people.
The government can reap windfall in the elections, which enables being in power for a foreseeable future. Also, the government can collect a lot of money as the GST contribution from the local economy.
Conclusion
From time immemorial man’s inherent nature has always been to aspire for economic success and well being, and it is his right to do so. All his efforts and hard work in life goes towards achieving that. In fact the governments, at least in democracies, can support him by providing him opportunities to excel in life.
Chamarajanagar Bidar Economic Corridor – Kalyana Patha is one such project which has the power to TURN man’s DREAMS into REALITY.
Also Read:- Bidar Chamarajanagar Kalyana Patha – An Expressway to Prosperity
Also Browse: Document Series on Kalyana Patha