Aaranyak, a leading biodiversity conservation organisation in the region, has conducted a five-day training programme on food processing for women community partners from Manas Landscape in Baksa, Assam. The training, held from 3rd to 7th September 2024 at Aaranyak’s Manas Conservation and Outreach Centre (MCOC), was part of the organisation’s ongoing conservation initiatives. This initiative was carried out in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and was attended by 23 women from villages such as Bhuyanpara, Karebari, Madanguri, Kumguri, Gorumara, and Daodhara in Barpeta, Assam.
According to a press release by Aaranyak, the Boro community, which resides along the fringes of Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve, has a rich tradition of unique food preparation and preservation techniques. These skills, if harnessed and marketed effectively, have the potential to generate revenue and provide an alternative livelihood for the community. This initiative aligns with Aaranyak’s broader goal of engaging forest-dwelling communities in sustainable livelihoods to reduce their dependence on forests for daily needs.
The training commenced on 3rd September, with an introduction to the purpose of the programme, followed by hands-on workshops. The sessions were led by master trainer Ajanta Das, who guided participants through the preparation of various food items such as pickles, jams, jellies, sauces, squashes, and juices. The women were taught the composition of spices and other ingredients required for the products, and they were given step-by-step instructions to ensure they could replicate the techniques independently.
During the course of the programme, participants learned to prepare a variety of food products, including elephant apple pickle, mixed pickle, pineapple jelly, pineapple jam, coconut pickle, coconut jam, coconut squash, star fruit juice, and tomato squash, among others. The trainer also shared valuable tips on how to preserve fruits and vegetables, an essential skill for extending the shelf life of these products.
On the final day, the participants demonstrated the skills they had acquired by preparing different products on their own. The quality of their work was assessed by KVK’s Home Science Expert, Dr. Swapna Choudhury, and master trainer, Ajanta Das. At the end of the programme, a valedictory session was held, and certificates were awarded to the participants for successfully completing the training.
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The training was led by Dr. Swapna Choudhury and master trainer Ajanta Das from Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Barpeta. Aaranyak’s team included Swapan Kr Das, Bijay Basumatary, Barnali Baro, Pankaj Das, and Partha Sarathi Ghose, along with the staff of the Manas Conservation and Outreach Centre.
Aaranyak is committed to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem protection while supporting indigenous communities through alternative sustainable livelihood activities, education, and awareness programmes. This initiative was supported by IUCN-KfW as part of their efforts to promote conservation and sustainable development in the Manas Landscape.
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