Turmeric processing unit set up in Mandi

Blurb: Self-help groups get Rs5.43 lakh from NABARD

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Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, July 10

With the help of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), a turmeric processing unit has been set up at Darvar panchayat under the Dharampur Assembly segment of Mandi district by 15 self-help groups.

It will give a helping hand to the farmers of the region to process raw material of turmeric into powder at their doorstep. To help the women of the self-help groups run the unit successfully, the Mandi Saksharta Jan Vikas Samiti and the Gramin Vikas Smaiti have also come forward for the purpose. All organisations will work collectivity to collect raw material of turmeric produce from the agriculture field and process it into powder at the unit. The arrangements will be made for packing of turmeric powder to sell it in the local market.

Bhupender Singh, a spokesperson of the Gramin Vikas Samiti, said it was an achievement of women self-help groups to set up a turmeric processing unit at Darvar panchayat in Mandi. Mandi was the first district to have a processing unit for turmeric.

He said these groups were promoting organic farming of turmeric crop in the region to sustain the economy. Due to monkey menace in the region, the farmers of Dharampur area were trying to produce other crops, which were not easy targets for monkeys. “Soon, locally prepared turmeric powder will be made available in the markets of Mandi district for kitchen use,” he added.

Sarojni Bisht, president of the self-help group, Darvar panchayat, said, “We are thankful to the NABARD, which provided us financial help of Rs 5.43 lakh to set up the unit. More farmers would be connected for organic farming of turmeric crop in the coming years to enhance the production of the crop in the region. It will provide self-employment opportunities to women of the area, especially those associated with self-help groups.”