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A team of scientists from CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, HP one of the constituent laboratory of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi will visit Kalimpong to look after the R&D activities on aromatic plants, and distribution of rooted slips of aromatic plant lemon grass to the beneficiary farmers of Mani Trust, Kalimpong, WB.
A Training cum Awareness Programme and Lemon Grass Distribution Programme organised by CSIR: Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT), Palampur, Himachal Pradesh in collaboration with Mani Trust on 23rd August, 2022 at Pudung Nirman Multipurpose Cooperative Society Hall, Pudung Gram Panchayat under Kalimpong Block - I in Kalimpong District, West Bengal. The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Councillor Mr. Paldan Tamang presided as the Chief Guest of the programme in august presence of CSIR : Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology Senior Principal Scientist Dr. Rakesh Rana, Technical Officer Dr. Arvind Verma, Mani Trust Chairman Mr. Subash Mani Singh, Anjani Initiative Managing Director Mr. Bipul Nayaran Pradhan, Pudung Nirman Multipurpose Women Co-operative Society Limited’s Executives and Members.
Mani Trust Chairman Mr. Subash Mani Singh welcomed the Scientists from CSIR: IHBT and highlighted the various activities being carried out by Mani Trust for the upliftment of the people of the region and how Mani Trust is working to bridge between the Central & State Governments and other agencies like CSIR: Institute of Himalayan Bio-resource Technology and the people from grassroots level so that they can avail all the benefits provided by the Government. He also stated that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Mani Trust and CSIR: IHBT for the promotion Aroma Mission Phase II. He thanked CSIR: IHBT Director Dr. Sanjay Kumar and Aroma & Medicinal Plants Distillation Unit which has already installed at Kalimpong Regulated Market Yard premises by the Trust and One lakh Lemon Grass saplings for the distribution among the farmers so strong Aromatic Value Chain can be created to benefit of the farmers, agropreneur and entrepreneurs of the region. He also mentioned about various upcoming projects that would be implemented by Mani Trust benefiting the economically backward section of North Bengal.
The Senior Principal Scientist Dr. Rakesh Kumar highlighted the various contribution of 37 CSIR Laboratories across the country since it inception in 26 September 1942. He told that Mani Trust came forward and signed MOU with the Institute during September, 2021 for promotion of aromatic and floriculture crops. In continuation to this activity, a processing unit for extraction of essential oils from aromatic crops has also been set up at Kalimpong under CSIR Aroma mission phase-II, which will benefit the local farmers and help in doubling their income. The essential oil extracted from aromatic plants have huge demand in the international market and these are used in perfumery and fragrance, cosmatics, medicines, food and flavour industry. He added that the awareness and training programme, free and subsidised raw materials, free infrastructure support for value addition and marketing linkages supports under various schemes and missions shall provide end to end solutions the beneficiaries. He added that the Aroma Distillation Unit and Cold Store established under CSIR Aroma and Floriculture Missions at Kalimpong Regulated Market Yard premises in Topkhana, Kalimpong shall be inaugurated in next month.
Technical Officer Dr. Arvind Verma explained about the technical aspects of the Lemon Grass Plantation explained in detail about how one can earn his livelihood through aroma mission.
Programme Chief Guest Mr. Palden Tamang, expressed gratitude to the CSIR: IHBT and Mani Trust various schemes to support farmers. He said such initiative will not only help the farmers to use their barren lands but also put end to the rampant sale of lands the villages making us minority in our own place.
The Programe conducted by Programme Officer Mr. Sagar Thapa concluded with vote of thanks with the distribution of the lemon grass saplings to the beneficiaries.
BIS,
24/Aug/2022