Field Day on Value added products conducted

Chandel, 12/06/2024: Field Day on Value added products from underutilized indigenous fruits and vegetables was conducted today at Chandolpokpi Village, Chandel. The Field Day was attended by Dr. A. Ameeta Devi, Sr. Scientist & Head, ICAR – KVK Chandel, M.K Chongrum, Chief Chandolpokpi village and R. Youthem, Chief Ziontlang Village as the presidium member. In the keynote address by the organizer Dr. Y. Prabhabati Devi SMS (Home Science) mentioned that the underutilized indigenous fruits and vegetables remained wasted during the season which is very rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. By converting these underutilized indigenous fruits and vegetables in to different value added products, the income and nutritional status of the farmer can be increased. By starting small scale entrepreneurship on value added products, the income of the farmers can be increased to certain extent. Dr. A. Ameeta Devi expressed that the technology given by KVK must be properly utilized and production of value added products must be encouraged in the coming years so that post harvest loses could be reduced to certain extent. While, M.K Chongrum, Chief Chandolpokpi village also acknowledged that the processing of fruits and vegetables which is undertaken by the farmers have indeed reduce the wastage of the fruits and vegetable. He urged the farmers who have not undertaken the technology to adopt in the coming days in order to increase their income by using the underutilised fruits which are available throughout the year. R. Youthem, Chief of Ziontlang Village emphasized that  post harvest technology should be encouraged and farmer must adopt  the technology developed by KVK.  Thereafter the programme, scientist and farmer interaction programme led by Dr. Y. Prabhabati Devi, SMS (Home Science) Ts. Leenda Monsang, SMS (Plant Breeding), Dr. Khumlo Levish, SMS (Agronomy), Ps. Lavid Anal, SMS (Horticulture), and Dr. K. Sonamani Singh, SMS (Agril. Engineering) was conducted. During the Field Day programme, value added products developed by progressive farm women were displayed and input like preservatives and packaging materials were distributed to the farmers. 55 farmers including staff of KVK Chandel have attended the programme.