Collecting, processing and better procurement of tamarind has brought newfound prosperity to forest dwellers in Chhattisgarh, helping them earn an additional income of Rs 2.48 crores.
Despite the adverse circumstances caused by the Corona crisis, employment for a significant number of forest dwellers was generated courtesy tamarind processing work, an official communication said on Tuesday.
This helped the forest dwellers to earn an additional Rs 2.48 crores.
Through the processing of tamarind flower, employment of 10,174 man-days was generated for the forest dwellers, it said.
The tamarind procured on Minimum Support Price is processed through the established Van Dhan Vikas Kendras.
In 2020-21, women self-help groups had conducted the tamarind procurement work in Van Dhan Vikas Kendras to make flower tamarind from 'aati' tamarind.
Of these, 39,389 quintals of 'aati' tamarind were processed till January 31, 2021, and 4,555 quintals of flower tamarind and 3,134 quintals of tamarind seed were obtained.
The beneficiaries include forest dwellers of Jagdalpur, Narayanpur, Dharamjaigarh, Katghora, East Bhanupratpur and South Kondagaon forests.
The forest dwellers earn the maximum income throughout the year by selling flower tamarind and tamarind seeds after processing, it said.