The newly constructed Central Processing and Research Center building of Jharkhand State Minor Forest Produce Cooperative Development and Marketing Union Limited located at Simaliya in Ranchi was inaugurated by Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperative Minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey.
On this occasion, a one-day cooperative conference cum exhibition program was also organized. On this occasion, Tirkey said that 29 per cent of the land area of the state of Jharkhand is covered with forest. Forest produce is the livelihood of a large population of the tribal community. In simple words, this is the second largest means of rural livelihood after agriculture. Many types of medicinal plants including Kendu leaves, Mahua, Chironji, Kusum, Karanja, Mango, Jackfruit are found in the forests of the state. Villagers are making their living by selling them in the rural market. But in the changing times, it is necessary to mold such forest produce in the mold of modernity.
The Minister said that the processing unit can prove to be helpful in this. Women groups can join the race of successful entrepreneurs by making forest produce a part of their employment and business. Till a few days ago, even the chirping of birds was not heard at this place in Simaliya village, but today the whole atmosphere has changed due to a small initiative. Until yesterday, the machine kept in the processing unit was covered with dust, today it has started working. This small effort will prove to be a milestone in the coming days. Villagers can package their forest produce and sell it in the market by paying a very nominal fee.
A large population in Jharkhand is dependent on forest produce and the objective of the state government is to promote forest produce rapidly and provide a market for it. Forest produce plays a big role in the development and economic growth of farmers. With the right information about the schemes of the Department of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperation, farmers can connect with advanced agriculture along with their traditional farming. For this, farmer brothers do not need to go anywhere, rather today the government is working to go to every village and the farmers' fields.
Tirkey said that today a processing unit has been established here for everything from tamarind to amla. The villagers associated with forest produce need to understand the importance of the processing unit and take advantage of it. The government is ready to provide every kind of help at every step.
