Food processing ensures profitable income for landless families
Punjab, the five river region, is one of the most fertile regions on earth and is called as the “granary of India” or “Indian bread basket”. Simultaneously, it has no ecstasy to say that land less or small land holders of north-western districts such as Tarn Taran are striving hard to earn their bread and butter. Moreover, in contemporary world, due to changing scenario of food habits and lifestyle, a continuous increase in the demand for processed food products has been noted. Therefore, to commemorate such practice, Ranjit Kaur, a landless women belonged to schedule caste, formed a group namely Fresh and Pure Self Help Group in order to earn her livelihood by fruit and vegetable processing. Initially, the group prepared pickles and preserves from various fruits and vegetables but found marketing practice as its major constraint to flourish their business.
During 2017-2018, scientific knowledge of processing of various livestock products viz. Chicken, Fish and Mutton pickle was disseminated by KVK, Tarn Taran to Fresh and Pure Self Help Group alongwith inclusion of 20 young individuals to the Group. These trainees were exposed to various techniques regarding processing and packaging of value added livestock products. Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tarn Taran guided this SHG at different critical arenas such as to update their knowledge for clean livestock product preparation as well as marketing practices. Thereafter, those skilled individuals started preparation of livestock products at small scale.
After evaluating the meat and fish pickle prepared by SHG, KVK, Tarn Taran motivated the group to sell their processed livestock products during Farmer’s and Livestock fairs (Kisan Melas and Pashu Palan Melas) organized time to time by different Krishi Vigyan Kendras working under the aegis of the Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University. As the group gained fame by putting its uncountable efforts, presently Fresh and Pure Self Help Group has established itself as a well-known firm in Tarn Taran District of Punjab. Eventually, the income of the SHG has been raised from INR 4,45,000/- to 7,00,000/- per annum as this group has gained 40 to 50 percent profit dependant on the variations in the cost of raw material and other ingredients.
Ranjeet Kaur while selling value added food products during Kisan Mela and Pashu Palan Mela
