CSIR-IHBT Technologies boosting the INCOME of farmers

INDIA REPORTER NEWS
PALAMPUR : RAJESH SURYAVANSHI, E-In-C

A team of scientists of CSIR-IHBT, Palampur H.P. visited aspirational district Chamba, HP from February 22-25, 2021 for implementation of CSIR-IHBT technologies in association with district administration and state Horticulture and Agriculture department.

A one day workshop on “Agriculture diversification through CSIR-IHBT technologies” was conducted on February 23, 2021 at Chamba in association with DRDA, Chamba and State Horticulture department. More than 90 progressive farmers, unemployed youth officials of DRDA, horticulture department, agriculture department, BDOs and NGOs participated in this workshop which was inaugurated by deputy commissioner of Chamba Sh D C Rana.

Dr Sanjay Kumar, Director CSIR-IHBT told that various technologies of CSIR–IHBT viz., agricultural diversification with medicinal, aromatic plants and floriculture crops, precision agriculture with Hydroponics/Aeroponics technology, food processing technologies, Vitamin D2 enriched Shiitake mushroom cultivation and processing, compost production suitable for cold regions and waste to wealth – Herbal incense cones from waste temple flowers can help in boosting the income of people of aspirational district.

While speaking in the workshop, Dr Rakesh Kumar, Senior Principal Scientist, told that IHBT have developed several agro and process technologies of high value aromatic crops viz., wild marigold, damask rose, lavender, rosemary scented geranium, mushkbala etc. and the essential oil obtained from these crops is utilized in perfumery, food, flavoring, pharmaceutical and agrochemical industry.

The essential oil market is expected to grow with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7 percent (%) and will reach 11,188 USD million from 2016 to 2022. Dr Sanatsujat Singh, Nodal of Aroma Mission project told that more than 550 hectares of area has been covered during the first phase of aroma mission and during the second phase more than 3000 ha area will be covered in India. From Chamba, more than 160 ha will be covered under aromatic crops such as wild marigold, lavender, rosemary, damask rose, mushkbala, scented geranium, German chamomile etc.

Er Mohit Sharma, Senior Scientist, explained about the basic and technical key points involved in different processing methods and quality control for aromatic crops processing. He also explained about the best practices for safe storage and packaging of these essential oils. In addition to this, he also told that more than 21 processing units have been installed in the state and 06 more such units will be installed by the end of March 2021.

Dr Bhavya Bhargav, Senior Scientist (Floriculture) gave an overview of floriculture sector and agrotechnologies of important floriculture crops suitable for Chamba district. He told that the global floriculture business is growing at the rate of 10 % per annum.

The domestic Indian market is growing at the rate of 25 per cent per year. District Chamba has potential to grow Lilium, Calla lily, Gerbera, Chrysanthemums, Tulips, Carnation, Gladiolus and Marigold under natural and polyhouse conditions. To boost self-employment in Chamba, CSIR-Floriculture Mission activities were also discussed through which farmers can get quality planting material, cold storage and transport facility and market linkage to enhance their income.

He told that 150 acres of area will be covered under marigold, calla lilly, gladiolus, lillium, tulip, carnations, orchid etc. with integration of apiculture to boost the economic conditions of farmers in Chamba. Dr SGE Reddy, Senior Scientist told the farmers about improved bee hive for quality hygenic extraction of honey which have been jointly designed by IHBT and CSIO.

Farmers were made aware about the importance, agro and process technologies, economic value and market linkages. The team of CSIR-IHBT informed the participants that current demand of wild marigold essential oil from HP is about 3000 kg for which industry have already sign MoU with the institute for procurement and ensure the availability.

Wild marigold is one of the potential crop to the region, which is 1200 m to 2500 m amsl, which can be easily grown during the Kharif season and can fetch a net return of 1.25-1.50 lakh per crop per year. So the farmers of Chamba district can avail this opportunity and boost their economy by cultivating wild marigold in large scale and this can be possible if farmers work in groups and form societies so that industry can easily reach to them.

Sh DC Rana, Deputy Commissioner, Chamba organized a meeting of state horticulture, agriculture and DRDA department along with the scientist and laid out a plan for implementation of the mission in Chamba with the initiation of wild marigold plantation in 100 ha area in the first phase.

The team also visited Churah valley in Tissa block of Chamba and interacted with farmers and observed that area is quite suitable for lavender, rosemary, wild marigold, damask rose and floriculture crops. Speaking on this, Sanjay Kumar, Director, CSIR-IHBT, said that this programme aims to improve farmer wellbeing by providing better income prospects. DRDA, state horticulture and agriculture department come together for collaborating with IHBT in this endeavor for the upliftment of farmers of Chamba district through crop diversification and adoption of suitable technologies.