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Bastar's Organic Tamarind Brand Expands, Boosting Tribal Livelihoods

An initiative in Sukma, Chhattisgarh, is processing locally sourced organic tamarind to build a strong market brand. The Dandakaranya Foods Tamarind Processing Centre aims to market the product at state, national, and international levels. Simultaneously, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai inaugurated free diagnostic labs to expand healthcare in Bastar. Both projects focus on improving livelihoods and services in the tribal region.

Key Points: Sukma's Organic Tamarind Gains Market Reach, Creates Jobs

  • Organic tamarind processing in Sukma
  • Brand building for national & international markets
  • Boosting tribal livelihoods and women's employment
  • CM inaugurates free diagnostic health labs
2 min read

Bastar's organic tamarind from Sukma gains wider market reach under Dandakaranya Foods' initiative

Dandakaranya Foods initiative processes Bastar's organic tamarind, creating a brand and jobs. CM Sai also inaugurates free diagnostic labs in the region.

"The Tamarind Processing Centre primarily focuses on developing Sukma's tamarind as a brand. - Kailash Kumar Kashyap"

Sukma, April 19

Bastar's high-quality organic tamarind is steadily gaining popularity in markets through the Dandakaranya Foods initiative, which is focused on strengthening rural livelihoods by supporting the collection, processing, and marketing of locally sourced minor forest produce.

The initiative has established the Dandakaranya Foods Tamarind Processing Centre in Sukma, where locally collected organic tamarind is processed using modern and state-of-the-art machinery.

The centre works on converting raw tamarind into value-added products, aiming to improve its market reach and branding at larger platforms.

Speaking about the initiative to ANI, Kailash Kumar Kashyap, General Manager, District Trade and Industry Centre, Sukma, said the focus is on building a strong identity for Sukma's tamarind in the market.

He said, "The Tamarind Processing Centre primarily focuses on developing Sukma's tamarind as a brand, and we plan to market it at the state level, nationally, and even internationally in the future."

He further highlighted the role of the state leadership in supporting the project, adding, "I would especially like to thank the Chief Minister for this initiative that he took for employment and livelihood for our sisters."

Officials said the initiative is also helping in creating employment opportunities and boosting income generation for local communities, especially women involved in the collection and processing of forest produce.

On Monday, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai inaugurated the 'Atal Arogya Lab' in the Bastar region at Sukma, marking a significant expansion in public healthcare services in the state.

The 'Atal Arogya Lab' scheme has emerged as a major initiative aimed at strengthening diagnostic healthcare infrastructure and providing free testing facilities to citizens across Chhattisgarh. Under the programme, 133 types of diagnostic tests will now be available completely free of cost at 1,046 government healthcare institutions, including District Hospitals, Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs).

According to officials, the initiative is designed to improve early detection and treatment of diseases, particularly in remote and underserved regions. Dr MR Kashyap, Senior Surgeon at the District Hospital in Sukma, said the introduction of advanced machines has significantly expanded diagnostic capabilities at the facility.

Kashyap told ANI, "New machines have arrived; as a result, there is an expansion of testing facilities. New labs have been established, and as a result, 134 different tests are being conducted, providing new information on various diseases.''

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Great initiative, but the article jumps from tamarind to a health lab? Feels like two separate news pieces were merged. The focus should be on the Dandakaranya Foods project. That said, supporting tribal livelihoods through forest produce is the right way forward.
A
Aman W
Organic tamarind from Sukma going national? Amazing! This is real development - empowering local communities instead of displacing them. The taste of Chhattisgarh's tamarind is unique. Hope the branding and packaging do justice to its quality.
S
Sarah B
As someone interested in sustainable sourcing, this is very encouraging. Creating a value chain for minor forest produce that benefits the collectors directly is a model more regions should follow. The health lab news is also positive for the area's infrastructure.
K
Karthik V
Finally, some positive news from Bastar that's not about conflict. This is the kind of economic activity that brings lasting peace and prosperity. Jai Bastar! The tamarind from there is truly top-class. My mother always insisted on getting it from the weekly haat.
N
Nisha Z
Good to see focus on women's employment. When women earn, the whole family benefits. Hope the processing centre ensures fair prices for the collectors and doesn't let middlemen eat up the profit. The health lab is a much-needed bonus for the region.

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