Core Support 2020-2023 (Phase-III)
1. Core support : Support programme has been extended from 2020 to 2023 with following activities :-
I. S & T Intervention : Aspirational Chamba Distt. : : Parwai village, Bhatiyat block : Formed a network of 40 Farmers & linked to Himachal Gramin Bank, Lahdu, for further financial help.
1. Diversification in to aromatic oils from wild marigold (Tagetes minuta) : : In June 20, about 19 farmers cultivated wild marigold on about 22 bighas (1.76 hac.) of land. Hands on trainings to farmers and core team members were given at IHBT, Palampur as well as in farmers’ fields by concerned scientists on agro-technology of wild marigold. Constructed work shed (600 sqft) and installed 250 kg capacity distillation unit at Parwai village. Training cum demonstration was conducted at unit in the village by concerned scientists on extraction of oil, packing and storage of oil. Now the core team of trained farmers is doing extraction of oil themself. Linkages have also been established with Mohan Sugandhim, Mandi (H.P.) for selling of wild marigold oil @ Rs. 9500/-kg. In IInd year Marigold was sown again in month of May and June 2021 with increased no. of farmers i.e. 23 on about 3 hac of land.
2. Propagation & supply of quality planting material of Lavender (Lavendula officinalis) & Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) : proposed 5 poly-tunnels (100 sqm. each) have been fabricated in farmers’ fields. A hand on training on propagation of lavender and rosemary to farmers was conducted on 10 December 2020 at IHBT Palampur. Planting material of lavender and rosemary was procured from IHBT Palampur on 30 December 2020.A hand on training program on propagation of lavender and rosemary to farmers was conducted on 31 December 2020 at farmer’s field. Cuttings and mother plant of lavender and rosemary were sown in poly-tunnels on 1 January 2021. Now farmers are selling mother plants to other farmers in the area through IHBT.
3. Cultivation & drying of Matricaria : : 15 farmers have been identified to grow matricaria in about 2.0 hac. of land in coming winter season This crop will be dried in indirect solar drier as well as oil will be extracted in distillation unit.
4. Value added products from Rhododendron flowers : Established common facility centre based on value added products from Rhododendron flower.Hand on training program on rhododendron products making was organized in collaboration with SFD Nagwain at Parwai village on 12 to 14 March 2021. Now this group is doing production and marketing at its own.5 representatives of Green Valley Kisan Sabha, Parwai, Teh. Chuwari, Distt. Chamba visited FARRMERS unit Nagwain on 20.4.2021 to look in the production activities.
II. Development of nutraceutical/functional foods : Biscuits from nutritionally rich local Vegetable (Broccoli) in combination with flours of wheat & amaranthus (traditional millet) have been prepared. Storage & organoleptic study have been carried out for 6 months & found acceptable. For scientific validation physic-chemical and nutritional analysis was carried out at CFTRI, Mysore along with control sample. Prepared biscuits were found very rich in all minerals & vitamins as compared to control sample. For example prepared biscuit has Calcium, Potassium and Vit. C content, 347.8 mg/100 gm, 285.9 mg/100 gm and 24.9 mg/100 gm respectively whereas control sample has 43.9 mg/100 gm., 142.7 mg/100 gm and 12.9 mg/100 gm. We are manufacturing and selling this biscuit variant through FARMERS group under FSSAI license.
III. Technology improvement and scientific validation of traditional fermented beverages (SUR in Lag valley) in distt. Kullu of H.P. : A Group of ‘7’ farmers have been formed who will look after and sustain the enterprise after completion of project. Work shed (400 sqft.) to carry out R & D work and subsequently production of beverage have been constructed Medicinal plants to be used have been collected. Equipment’s have also been installed.
IV. Design & fabrication of emulsion making unit for making creams : Initially, A prototype of 8 kg capacity was designed and fabricated in consultation with RuTAG, IIT Roorkee. Now we have designed and fabricated 20 kg capacity SS made unit with complete accessories at GAK engineers and Technologist Mohali (Pb) and are in process to optimize it for product making.
V. Herbal Soaps based on wild apricot oil & natural saponins from soap nut using natural aromatics : We have prepared 3 variants of toiler soap using, Aloe vera, Derek leaf extract and Artemisia extract using natural essential oils of Lavender, wild marigold and lemon grass and one variant of washing soap using soap nut extract with quality certification through NABL lab. for their quality parameters. It shall be replicated among women SHG`S for production and selling. We shall have production through FARMERS group after licencing and SSI registration.