Scaling Agribusiness Infrastructure: Maharashtra’s MAGNET 2.0 Strategy

The Maharashtra government has officially launched the MAGNET 2.0 initiative, marking a significant shift in the state’s approach to agricultural development. By focusing on the creation of robust agribusiness infrastructure, the policy aims to bridge the critical gap between farm-gate production and market-ready value-added products. The initiative is designed to incentivize private sector participation, which is essential for scaling up post-harvest processing capabilities and enhancing the state's export competitiveness in the global market. At its core, MAGNET 2.0 addresses the persistent challenges of supply chain inefficiencies, such as inadequate cold storage, fragmented logistics, and limited value addition at the local level. By fostering an ecosystem that encourages private investment, the government seeks to transform agriculture from a subsistence-based activity into a commercially viable, industry-linked sector. This move is particularly significant for Maharashtra, given its diverse cropping patterns and its status as a major contributor to India’s horticultural exports. The policy emphasizes the integration of modern technology and infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses, thereby ensuring better price realization for farmers and stabilizing the agricultural economy.