Ira Singh
khabar Khabaron Ki,20 July’25
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has identified Barcelona’s Mercabarna model as an inspiration for transforming Madhya Pradesh’s agricultural economy. Spread over 250 acres, Mercabarna is Europe’s largest food logistics hub, integrating production, processing, storage, and distribution systems.Highlighting the need for post-harvest management, processing, and export-oriented strategies, Dr. Yadav termed the visit as a strategic step toward global competitiveness in agriculture and allied industries.During the third day of his Spain visit, CM Dr. Yadav observed Mercabarna’s farm-to-fork model, cold chain systems, and zero-waste operations. “This model can help Madhya Pradesh tackle challenges in production, value addition, storage, and access to international markets. With growing agricultural output, we need robust systems that ensure profitability for farmers and sustainability for the state’s economy,” he said.
VIDEO | Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav (@DrMohanYadav51) visited Mercabarna, Europe’s largest integrated wholesale food market, as part of MP Global Dialogue 2025. The visit explored global best practices in food logistics and export to boost MP’s agri-economy and… pic.twitter.com/rJ3rNvimmC
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 18, 2025
Madhya Pradesh’s agriculture is transitioning from subsistence farming to an agri-business-driven economy.According to information, the state recorded double-digit growth in horticulture and food grain output in recent years. However, inadequate infrastructure for processing, packaging, and logistics has limited its ability to command better prices globally.The Mercabarna visit underscores the state government’s vision to bridge this gap by adopting export-centric infrastructure, which can significantly enhance farmer incomes and attract private investments in the agri-value chain. Dr. Yadav stressed that integrating global best practices will unlock rural entrepreneurship, create jobs, and boost GDP contribution from agriculture and allied sectors.
Focus on Mega Food Parks, Export Hubs & Financial Inclusion
CM Dr. Yadav said that Madhya Pradesh will replicate integrated food logistics parks, agri-export zones, and food-tech incubation centers similar to Mercabarna,to boost rural economies with private investment. He emphasized making farmers stakeholders in value addition for better returns and resilience, while promoting PPPs in cold storage, quality certification, and traceability systems to attract FDI, institutional investors, and agri-tech startups under global standards. “We are working on models where farmers will become stakeholders in value addition, ensuring better price realization and financial resilience,” he said.
Green Solutions and Innovation for Competitive Edge
Dr. Yadav lauded Mercabarna’s Food Bank initiative, Zero Waste Management, and Food-Tech Incubation model, calling them “highly relevant for Madhya Pradesh’s innovation-centric agri-policy.” He said these will form the backbone of the state’s rural entrepreneurship programs, with a strong focus on green finance and sustainability-linked investment.
Global Standards, Export Commitment & Investment Opportunities
Recognizing Mercabarna’s role in the EU food supply chain, Dr. Yadav emphasized adopting global quality benchmarks for Madhya Pradesh’s agri-producers and exporters. “Studying Mercabarna’s quality control, food safety, and compliance protocols will fast-track our march toward international standards,” he said.Besides,Dr. Yadav extended open invitation to Mercabarna to invest in Madhya Pradesh, highlighting the state’s vision of ‘Advantage MP’ with assured policy stability, fiscal incentives, and world-class infrastructure for agri-business and export-driven growthWith this visit, CM Dr. Yadav has signaled a second green revolution in Madhya Pradesh, one focused on innovation, financial viability, and global market integration. Backed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, the state is charting a new path where agriculture is not just a livelihood but a high-value industry with export competitiveness.“Madhya Pradesh is emerging not just as a destination for agri-investments but as a reliable global partner in the food supply chain,” Dr. Yadav asserted.