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| Huge potential of Organic produce from foothills of Himalayas | | JK to cultivate scientifically tested and commercially beneficial plants in state | 
Jammu, January 21, (Scoop News)-As part of the Centre's grand plan to convert the hilly areas of the country as exclusive zone of high value organic farm products, the authorities in 2014 had launched a scheme to encourage the farmers in Jammu and Kashmir to cultivate scientifically tested and commercially beneficial aromatic and medicinal plants in the state.
Under the scheme, 'Jammu and Kashmir Arogya Gram Yojna', the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) had been entrusted to help the farmers with expert guidance and provide them saplings of as many as nine varieties of medicinal and aromatic plants.
The plant variety , selected for Jammu and Kashmir include different varieties of Lemon Grass (Cymbogon), Rose (Rosa), Mint (Menthe), Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) and Phalsa (fruit plant).
All India Food Processors'Association (AIFPA), an oldest association in the country which had its inception in the year 1943 and is on way to celebrate its Platinum Jubilee this year, with the completion of 75 years of its dedicated service to the food processing industry in India held a Seminar on "Challenges and Opportunities in Production and marketing of Organic Foods", in Jammu, the winter capital of the Himalayan state of Jammu and Kashmir, on Friday.
AIFPA has ever-since championed the cause of the Indian food industry operating in the MSME sector, which covers almost 85% of the total
units in India. The FPI units in large scale which comprises mostly of MNCs too refer the problems confronting them from time to time. If we find that a notification is devoid of any scientifically rationale and logic or impossible to implement, AIFPA undertakes the issues with the concerned authorities to find the solutions and if necessary and file petition in the Apex Court to have the points of discord suitably addressed under the law of the land.
Speaking on the occasion, PL Koul, a panelist, said "I am born, brought-up and educated in Kashmir, served industry and academia in the State before migrating to Delhi 43 years back, in the pursuit of the fulfillment of my ambitious aspirations in life. Since then I have had the pleasure of visiting the valley only once, that too far a very short period on a consultancy assignment from Jammu and Kashmir Agro industries Development Corporation Ltd.
He said he would like to share with you all that even after over four decades of our staying away from the valley, our taste buds are yet to get adjusted to the kind of vegetables that are grown in the farms in NCR or imported from various states. The primary reason being that all the vegetables grown in the valley used to be through organic farming alone using bio-compost, while the application of chemical fertilizers or insecticides was unknown and hence unpracticed.
"We still crave for the deep bottle green Collards called “Haakh” in the local language, whose physical characteristics, the taste and texture varied with the season. The frequent consumption of “Haakh” provided the best form of dietary fiber that provides protection from many diseases," Koul said.
He said the brinjal (“Wangun”) from Kashmir literally melt in the mouth like cream, while the same brinjals from the planes are listless in taste and their skin refuses to get cooked. The lotus stem called “Nadroo” from Kashmir has a typical texture and taste as it grows in clean, fresh water lakes there. The fish from the ice cold fresh water of rivers and lakes is a delicacy in itself which can be termed as even superior to the nomenclature called Organic as the popular buzz-word now.
Koul said Jammu and Kashmir with the production of about 20 lakh tonnes of apples constitute almost 70% of the total production in the country and is one of the major economic resources of the State. I am not really sure if any percentage of it is grown as Organic to command premium on it the world over.
He said a good number of other fruits like the ones from Ladakh region are all organic and include e.g. Sweet Apricot (Bottaa Tcheir) , Plum (Ollu-bukharaa/ Aae’rr) , Seabuckthorn’ (Ladakh Gold) is a wonder berry high in nutrition and anti-oxidants. Similarly special quality of herbs like Mint, Lemongrass etc. grow wild there and is naturally organic. All these products in processed and packed form could be highly rewarding business propositions for the start-up entrepreneurs.
The nuts and fruits such as Almonds (“Badaam”), Walnuts, Quince (Bama-tchoonth), Musk Melon (Kharbooz); Pears (Goshbob) are all organic by default and hence need to be got certified as organic. The sweet and sour Cherry (Gilaas & Aalitchaa) from Kashmir are famous and offers a good business opportunities if preserved for longer shelf life, Koul said adding he would like to mention the exotic berries from Kashmir like candy sweet & also sour Mulberry (“Tuell & Shah-tuell”), unique kind of Raspberry( Chhanchh) , vBarberry( Kaawduchh) , Red berry(Haapat meawaa) are all grown wild without any human intervention.
"All these products are truly organic but the availability is so low that nobody considers them as a business alternative. But being associated with a amazing therapeutic properties, their systematic cultivation could be promoted as a high valued cash crop," he pointed out.
Kashmir, Koul said has its own alternative to the most famous and processed goose-berry or Aonla in its green sour Plum (Gordoul). Though a fantastic source of Vitamin –C, it is just used to prepare Chutneys . It could be converted into a value added products like “Murrabha” or ready to eat candy , to enhance the immunity in the body to fight disease.
He said the basic disadvantage against the fresh and processed food products produced as naturally organic in the Ladakh or Kashmir provinces J & K is that these land locked area is far away from the nearest ports of Kandla or Mumbai at distances of 1741 kms and 2156 kms respectively.
The cost of transportation by an ordinary truck is estimated at Rs. 25 per kg on the average which makes the product cost-wise incompatible, Koul said adding the only solution to achieve marketing success of processed or unprocessed fruits, vegetable, berries and nuts etc is to provide some USPs or marketing gimmicks to the products, so that they can be sold on a premium.
One such major attributes could be in getting them branded as ORGANIC' besides highlighting their nutritional and therapeutic benefits. The second and the most important exercise is to have the produce dehydrated in such a way that all its physical and biological characteristics remain unaffected for reconstitution into the original composition. We are already in possession of the necessary technology resource to do the needful.
This way we are able to reduce the weight of the fresh produce by over 80% , increase the shelf life to more than one year and make the cost of air-freight inconsequential for the product to compete in the market. We have already developed the closed loop cabinet driers based on heat-pump concept which can be operated on solar power and do not need any qualified professionals to operate. Vacuum Freeze Drying is yet another cutting-edge technology applicable for this purpose.
Koul said state could also thrive on the naturally grown valuable aromatic and medicinal herbs of immense medicinal value growing wild at places like CHANGTHANG VALLEY , ZANSKAR VALLEY and the SURU VALLEY of Ladakh, at a height of 8500 ft to over 12000 ft. , most of which have already been classified as endangered species. All these organic herbs , exotic fruits and berries after primary and secondary processing can be sold the world over at exorbitant prices as the high cost of transportation is going to have an insignificant effect on the sale price the application of modern technologies including Solar Power backed Closed Loop Drier could be the appropriate equipment for installation in such hostile and remote sites.
He said he was pleased to learn that Jammu and Kashmir is now seriously trying to encourage the entrepreneur farmers to promote organic farming and are facilitating their endeavor. There are reports that the organic farming of fragrant rice known locally as “Mushqe-budij” is already a success.
"As a matter of fact the case study of M/s Sarveshwar Overseas Pvt. Ltd. led by Rohit Gupta in having pioneered the organic farming of Basmati rice in R S Pora region of the Jammu province to become the prominent supplier and exporters of the same, stands as a case study that could be emulated," Koul asserted.
He said the processing units based on grains, fruits and vegetables, herbs and fish etc. of the State should therefore be promoted as premium products after getting them certified as Organic for a substantial value addition in the niche market that is growing fast the world over. I would therefore like to emphasize on the following proposals:
i. Let the whole of Ladakh province of the State be got certified as organic so that the exotic herbs, fruits and berries from there get automatic recognition as organic produce from the foot hills of Himalayas.
ii. The Vegetables, Walnuts, Almonds, Chestnuts, Fruits, Wild Mushrooms, Morels and the Forest Honey etc., grown without use of chemical fertilizers or application of pesticides etc in Kashmir province may also be got certified as organic.
iii. Fresh water fish from the ice cold and pure water streams and lakes like Rainbow Trout etc. need extensive farming bred on organic or natural feed, can also achieve the distinction of being organic and command premium.
iv. To promote organic farming of vegetables and culinary herbs on floating gardens of the Dal lake and let it be of immense attraction to the tourists visiting the valley besides conveying the message of the seriousness of the State Govt. to promote organic farming in a big way.
All these are bound to offer very fruitful business possibilities but only if the products are able to reach the markets safely, which need special processing applications which can be taken care of through the knowledge resources.
AIFPA, Koul said has a large pool of specialists associated with it through highly qualified and experienced professionals in post harvest management, process technologies, project engineering , Quality Certification and marketing of the processed food products. Any prospective entrepreneur in the quest for any kind of knowledge resource is most welcome to contact AIFPA. ... |
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