Home Dehradun FRI holds training in extraction of essential oils

FRI holds training in extraction of essential oils

876
0
SHARE

By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 2 Mar: A one day training programme on extraction of essential oil from aromatic plants was organised by FRI in collaboration with Dr Jyoti Marwah, a progressive farmer of Mussoorie, here, today. The training was imparted by Dr Vineet Kumar, Scientist G, Project Investigator, Bioprospecting of Essential oils from Chemistry & Bioprospecting Division, along with Dr Jyoti Marwah and Sushil Bhattarai.
As a case study, essential oil was extracted from Zingiber officinale (commonly known as ginger or adrak) using an efficient Field Distillation Unit in the farmer’s field of Dr Jyoti Marwah. It was also advised that, after extraction of essential oil, farmers could double their income by selling the multiple products including hydrosol and the remaining biomass as they are demanded in premium soaps, shampoos, creams, cosmetics, spices, etc.
At the live demonstration on extraction of oleoresin, Dr Vineet Kumar said that this initiative was a part of the project funded by Government of India Department of Science & Technology, New Delhi, with the aim of providing training to farmers so that they are motivated to grow essential oil bearing crops as it would be helpful in their income generation. He also said that essential oil bearing crops are easy to grow and maintain as they are not affected by grazing animals. The local farmers participated enthusiastically in this training and learned the basics of essential oil extraction.
In her speech, Dr Jyoti Marwah motivated the local farmers by emphasising the uses and benefits of essential oils in various sectors. She also advised that some of the essential oil bearing crops could be grown in barren lands, unused spaces like side bunds, side walls, etc., thereby utilising that area also. Farmers from Bunglow ki Kaandi, Sainj, Kempty village areas and local villages participated actively.