Tropical Forest Research Institute, Jabalpur organized 15 days (100 hrs)

Certificate Course on “Value addition and marketing of NTFPs (Plant

origin): NTFP Products/ Medicinal Plants” under GSDP-ENVIS

Tropical Forest Research Institute, Jabalpur organized 15 days (100 hrs) Certificate

Course on “Value addition and marketing of NTFPs (Plant origin): NTFP Products/

Medicinal Plants” from 8 – 22 January, 2019 under Green Skill Development Programme

(GSDP) - ENVIS sponsored by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF

& CC), Government of India, New Delhi. At the outset, Dr. G. Rajeshwar Rao (ARS), Director

TFRI welcomed the Chief Guest Dr. S. D. Upadhyaya, Director Instruction, Jawaharlal Nehru

Krishi Vishwa Vidhyalaya (JNKVV), Jabalpur by a bouquet. The programme was initiated by

lighting the lamp by the Chief Guest, Director of TFRI and other dignitaries.

Dr. Geeta Joshi, Scientist - F and Head of Extension Division elucidated the GSDP and

conveyed its purpose to the house. Dr. Nanita Berry, Scientist-E and Head of SFM & AF

Division briefed about the training schedule consisting of lectures and exposure visits to

Industries and farmer's fields and constituting various aspects of NTFPs/ medicinal plants

produce. In his address, Dr. G. R. Rao, Director, TFRI welcomed the participants who reached

TFRI from different places of Madhya Pradesh. He spoke about the importance of Non Timber

Forest Produce and their exceeding economic value over forest timber. He evoked the trainees to

utilize their time at the institute to improve their knowledge on NTFPs/ medicinal plants to the

best of their capacity. The Chief Guest, Dr. S.D. Upadhyaya appreciated the full-fledged course

design of the training encompassing sustainable harvesting, processing, value addition,

cultivation, value chain and marketing of forest produce. He especially admired the exposure

visit part of the training programme to various processing units, Industries and farmer’s fields.

The course manual was also released during the inaugural function. The participants were from

diverse fields viz. agricultural, forestry, engineering, farmers interested in cultivation and

marketing of NTFPs, NGOs and entrepreneurs. Dr. Hari Om Saxena, Scientist – D & Course

Director compered the inaugural session which was concluded by extension of vote of thanks by

Dr. M. Kundu, Scientist - F.

During the technical sessions of this 15 days training programme, lectures on a wide

range of topics viz. collection, non-destructive harvesting, processing, value addition, marketing

of NTFP products/ medicinal plants, entrepreneurship development etc were delivered by various

scientists and experts. Hands on/ practical demonstrations were provided to the learners by

expert teams. Besides, the trainees were exposed to Forest Research Centre – Skill Development,

Chhindwara for preparation of Mahua and Munga based products, MP Vigyan Sabha’s

processing unit of Honey, Multi grain products, Mahua based bakery products, Char and Aonla

based products, Soap and Bio-gas production units at Harshdiwari, Phalam Sampada Producer

Company Limited, Tamia, Chhindwara, Indian Institute of Forest Management and Vindhya

Herbals, Bhopal, Vindhya Amrit, Rehti, Sehore, Agarbatti production unit, Jabalpur, medicinal

plants cultivation fields and medicinal plants nurseries and gardens etc. About 60% part of the

training was covered by the exposure visits and practical demonstrations.

The training was concluded on 22nd

January, 2019. During the valedictory session, Dr. G.

Rajeshwar Rao, Director of TFRI welcomed the Chief Guest Dr. P.K. Shukla, Retd PCCF (M.P.)

and Regional Director, Regional-cum-Facilitation Centre of National Medicinal Plant Board and

Shri C. Behera (IFS), Head of Office welcomed the special guest Shri Vinay Wagh, Manager of

Shree Baidyanath Ayurved Bhawan Pvt Ltd., Seoni Unit with bouquets. While addressing to the

house Shri Vinay Wagh advised the skilled participants to visit Shree Baidyanath Company

based in Seoni. He said that the suitable candidates can also approach the company for their

further career. The Chief Guest, Dr. Shukla appreciated the efforts of TFRI for successfully

organizing the event and all resource persons to enrich the participants on different aspects of

NTFP products/ medicinal plants. Dr. Shukla distributed the certificates to the participants on the

occasion. In the feedback, the participants thanked TFRI for organizing such an excellent and

diversified training course on NTFP products/ medicinal plants. They especially appreciated the

exposure visit part of training which provided them clear ideas to start an entrepreneur for

livelihood. Few of the participants wished to establish their own entrepreneurship based on

NTFPs/ medicinal plants.

At the outset of valedictory function, Dr. Hari Om Saxena, Scientist-D and Course

Director presented the training report before the august gathering and briefed the activities

carried out during the 15 days training programme. Dr. Rajehswar Rao, Director of the Institute

praised the Training-In-Charge, Training Co-ordinator, Course Director and all the team for their

efforts and hard works in successful organization of the training programme. He wished the

participants well in all their future endeavors. During the event, Head of divisions, Scientists,

Officers and staff of the Institute were present. The programme was successfully conducted by

Dr. Hari Om Saxena who also delivered the vote of thanks.

Glimpses of Training programme

Inaugural Session

Lectures by resource persons and scientists during technical sessions

Exposure visit to processing units and farmer’s fields

Valedictory Session

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