1. Hi tech prod system for quality disease free seed rhizomes of Turmeric and Ginger

Based on the recommendations of ‘National Consultative Meet on ginger and turmeric planting material production’, to establish a production system for planting material of ginger and turmeric which can ensure freedom from disease and maintain the purity in the planting material produced for distribution to farmers, DASD had implemented the programme for microrhizome production in these crops at three different centres viz. KAU, IISR & TNAU since 2016-17. The project will be implemented in this year at two centres for ginger with a total fund requirement of Rs.8.00 Lakhs. 

2.Scaling up of micro rhizometechnology-basedginger seed production

This is an ongoing programme conceived in 2020-21. The programme was aimed at scaling up microrhizome based ginger seed production in KAU, involving 10 research centres. Under this project CPBMB provided the microrhizome derived protray seedlings to the 10 different network centres. These centres raised the protray seedlings under protected structures.  The production technology standardized by KAU for production of seed rhizomes under polyhouse conditions were followed at these centres.  Trials on refinement of the production technology and off-season production of microrhizomes was also undertaken as a part of the programme.Financial assistance to renovate, upgrade and establish poly house structures in these centres was also provided. The second year of the project envisages production of 30 lakhs single bud transplants within the project period which will be distributed to licensed farmers / university centres for further multiplication and distribution covering an area of 50 ha which would yield a minimum of 1000 tonnes of disease-free ginger seed material. The twoyearprojectwas approvedfor a total cost of Rs. 53.55 Lakhs in 2020-21. 

3. Establishment of essential Oil Distillation Units

Aromatic crops are some of the most profitable but underutilized crops, which have immense potential to alleviate socio-economic conditions of small and marginal farmers. Essential oils of these crops have very high demand in national and international market. India stands third in world’s total essential oil production with a share of 16-17 percent and stands second in terms of value with the share of 21-22percent. The country’s Rs.15,000-crore fragrances and flavors market (aromatic sector) arewitnessingbuoyant times with consumption /demand going up in the FMCG sector, rapid penetration in therural market, and growing acceptance of Indian items in the global market. Aromatic essential oils are mainly used by pharmaceutical, fragrance, perfumeryand aromatherapy industries. The market for industrial fragrances, which go into end products, from toothpaste, talcum powder, soaps and agarbattis, and flavours that go into food items, have been driven by several factors – the growth of the FMCG sector in the country, affordability for products in the rural parts of the country and growing acceptance of Indian materials in the global market place.  However, the growth opportunities in this sector have not been fully utilized.

To promote aromatic crops, the Directorate has been implementing planting material production programme, frontline demonstration of production technologies, trainings for growers and skill development trainings on essential oil extractor for rural youth. As the area under the aromatic crops is increasing, there is a lack of expertise and facilities for processing of the herbage produced to yield quality essential oils. The quality of the aromatic oil produced depends on the technology used for distillation. The Directorate proposed to demonstrate the essential oil extraction process through steam distillation unit under MIDH assistance in potential areas.

Steam distillation process involves the use of a distillation unit wherein plant material is distilled with the steam generated outside the unit in a standalone boiler. Essential oil passes with the steam into a condenser and subsequently oil separator where it is separated. It is estimated that the cost for installation of 100 Kg/ 200 Kg /500 Kg capacity distillation units may vary from Rs. 2.5 Lakhs to 5.00 Lakhs. Under this programme, DASD propose to establish steam distillation units at different SAUs with a total financial requirement of Rs. 5.00 Lakhs. This demonstration will encourage small and marginal farmers for extraction of essential oil, processing and marketing and thus helpthembecomeself-reliant to earn appropriate profits from cultivation of aromatic crops.