Palampur team apprises Shillong scientists of apt technology for farmers

A team led by Sudesh Kumar Yadav, Director, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bio-resource Technology, Palampur, along with scientists, proceeded on a visit to Meghalaya yesterday to monitor research and extension activities under the CSIR-Aroma Mission Phase-III and explore collaboration with state departments. The team interacted with the officials of the Institute of Natural Resources, Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA), North Eastern Region Community Resource Management and the scientists of BRIC-IBSD, Shillong, Meghalaya.

Yadav apprised the scientists working in Shillong about CSIR-IHBT technologies suitable for the farmers of Meghalaya under the convergence mode. He inaugurated a field distillation unit of 500 kg capacity installed under the CSIR-Aroma Mission Phase-III by the CSIR-IHBT at Phlangwanbroi village in Mawsynram block of East Khasi Hills district, Meghalaya.

Yadav apprised the farmers about the importance of aromatic plants, their uses in perfumery, flavour and fragrance industry and in the pharmaceutical industry. He emphasised the commitment of the institute for the enhancement of the area under aromatic crops and technical support to the farmers of remote villages across India under the CSIR-Aroma Mission. He said that two distillation units had already been installed in Meghalaya under the CSIR Aroma Mission Phase-III by the institute in association with INR, MBDA.

Rakesh Kumar, Chief Scientist-cum-Co-Nodal of the Aroma mission, CSIR-IHBT, said that an essential oil was extracted from aromatic crops that were used in perfumes, cosmetics, soaps, air fresheners and other products, for flavouring food and drink and for adding scents to household cleaning products.