HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Sept 11: A five-day training on food processing was organised for women community partners from the Manas landscape in Baksa by the region’s premier biodiversity conservation organisation, Aaranyak, as part of its ongoing conservation initiatives in the landscape.
The training, organised at Aaranyak’s Manas Conservation and Outreach Centre (MCOC) in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), was attended by 23 women from Bhuyanpara, Karebari, Madanguri, Kumguri, Gorumara, and Daodhara villages in Barpeta.
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“The Boro community, dwelling along Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve, has a varied food habit and is traditionally known for its unique food preparation and preservation. These skills, when harnessed, augmented, and the processed food products marketed properly, may allow the practitioners to earn revenue and play an important role in providing them with an alternative livelihood option,” said Aaranyak through a press statement.
“Such alternative livelihood activities often play an integral part of conservation initiatives to engage the communities dwelling in forest fringe areas, minimising their tendency to rely on forests for basic livelihood needs and allowing them to earn a livelihood through alternative sources,” Aaranyak added.
The training commenced with a brief background on the purpose of organising the program. The participants then proceeded with hands-on workshop activities under the able guidance of master trainer Ajanta Das.
During the five-day program, the participants learned about the preparation of pickles, jams, jellies, sauces, squash, and juice. Das taught them about the composition of spices and ingredients for each item they produced, providing step-by-step guidance for preparing the products.
The products prepared during the training program included elephant apple pickle, mixed pickle, pineapple jelly, pineapple jam, coconut pickle, coconut jam, coconut squash, star fruit juice, and tomato squash, among others. Das also shared valuable tips on the preservation of fruits and vegetables with the participants.
On the final day, the participants demonstrated their skills in food processing by preparing various products on their own. The quality of the products was evaluated by the Home Science expert of KVK, Dr Swapna Choudhury, and master trainer, Ajanta Das. The program concluded with a valedictory session where the participants were awarded certificates for successfully completing the program.
On behalf of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Barpeta, the training was led by Dr Swapna Choudhury, the Home Science expert, and Ajanta Das, the master trainer. The Aaranyak team was represented by Swapan Kr Das, Bijay Basumatary, Barnali Baro, Pankaj Das, and Partha Sarathi Ghose, along with the entire team of the Manas Conservation and Outreach Centre.
Aaranyak is committed to the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems and supports indigenous communities through alternative sustainable livelihood activities, education, and awareness programs in the Manas landscape. The initiative is supported by IUCN-KfW.
