Coimbatore: The Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (IFGTB), popularly referred as Forest College, is gearing up to produce Tree Rich Bio Booster, an instant pot mixture, produced using eco-friendly organic materials for fast-growing trees and plant species, by developing infrastructure facilities and installing machinery at the selective tribal hamlets in Coimbatore.
Coimbatore: The Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (IFGTB), popularly referred as Forest College, is gearing up to produce Tree Rich Bio Booster, an instant pot mixture, produced using eco-friendly organic materials for fast-growing trees and plant species, by developing infrastructure facilities and installing machinery at the selective tribal hamlets in Coimbatore.
Speaking to Simplicity, N Senthikumar, scientist, IFGTB, said that the institute has taken up the programme following approval from the Department of Science and Technology, who are funding the project. The aim of the project is to empower and improve the socio-economic situation of the tribal people, especially the women, in Coimbatore.
Senthil said, the Tree Rich Bio Booster, which was produced in 2010, uses coconut pith instead of mud to grow plants. It contains all natural nutrients for the growth of the plants and is in the form of disc or cake, which soaked in water will expand seven folds, The coconut pith retains water for a longer period thus reducing the excessive use of water, he explained. The trees saplings and plants can be directly planted, he added.
Revealing that the institute has succeeded in growing various plants and vegetables over the period, he said it has become an instant hit, especially among the urbanites for growing vegetables and plants in their home, kitchen, and terrace gardens. It has been well received in the market for all the benefits it offered and there is a growing market for it, he observed.
"The Institute felt that the use of the method and technology to produce of these discs can benefit the tribals at large, This would help to raise their socio-economic situation and make them self-reliant," Senthil said.
As a result of this effort the training programs were started for tribals, he said recalling the important role in supporting and backing the program by IFGTB director Mohit Gera.
Initially, it was started as a mini project for a few tribals. But it got a huge boost after the project was submitted to the Department of Science and Technology. The project involving a larger number of tribals in the program was approved in May this year, he noted.
The institute has received funding of Rs1.60 crore to construct infrastructure, for installation of machinery, training of tribals to produce the disc. Besides, this would also function as the southern tribal welfare center, he added.
Senthil said that already about 50 tribals women from various Self Help Groups (SHG)have been trained in Velliangadu, Annaikatti, and Baralikadu. He said that the project is now being further extended to Thambampathy in Pollachi. As per the proposed project one machine would be installed for 5 tribal villages, where the SHG's can produce the cake using the method and technology.
The tribals can also utilize the facilities, particularly the machine, which cost about Rs9 lakh, at the IFGTB, to produce the disc, he said. The machine can produce about 400 disc or cake in an hour.
The production cost of the disc would just cost Rs10 for a piece, while the tribals can market it for Rs15 or more, he added. The tribals have shown good interest in producing the products, which would be a step forward for them to move away from the primitive work in the forest.
The project if implemented would be of great benefit to the tribal people, said V Balan, a tribal,in Senguttai in Tholampalaym panchayat. Unlike before there is no constant source of income from forest area and this would be an alternative source to earn the income for tribals, he said.
Many of the people are still depended on the forest for livelihood. There are lean times when they find nothing in the forest. The project would empower the men and women and help to find an alternative source of income, said Selvi another tribal here.
Speaking to Simplicity, N Senthikumar, scientist, IFGTB, said that the institute has taken up the programme following approval from the Department of Science and Technology, who are funding the project. The aim of the project is to empower and improve the socio-economic situation of the tribal people, especially the women, in Coimbatore.
Senthil said, the Tree Rich Bio Booster, which was produced in 2010, uses coconut pith instead of mud to grow plants. It contains all natural nutrients for the growth of the plants and is in the form of disc or cake, which soaked in water will expand seven folds, The coconut pith retains water for a longer period thus reducing the excessive use of water, he explained. The trees saplings and plants can be directly planted, he added.
Revealing that the institute has succeeded in growing various plants and vegetables over the period, he said it has become an instant hit, especially among the urbanites for growing vegetables and plants in their home, kitchen, and terrace gardens. It has been well received in the market for all the benefits it offered and there is a growing market for it, he observed.
"The Institute felt that the use of the method and technology to produce of these discs can benefit the tribals at large, This would help to raise their socio-economic situation and make them self-reliant," Senthil said.
As a result of this effort the training programs were started for tribals, he said recalling the important role in supporting and backing the program by IFGTB director Mohit Gera.
Initially, it was started as a mini project for a few tribals. But it got a huge boost after the project was submitted to the Department of Science and Technology. The project involving a larger number of tribals in the program was approved in May this year, he noted.
The institute has received funding of Rs1.60 crore to construct infrastructure, for installation of machinery, training of tribals to produce the disc. Besides, this would also function as the southern tribal welfare center, he added.
Senthil said that already about 50 tribals women from various Self Help Groups (SHG)have been trained in Velliangadu, Annaikatti, and Baralikadu. He said that the project is now being further extended to Thambampathy in Pollachi. As per the proposed project one machine would be installed for 5 tribal villages, where the SHG's can produce the cake using the method and technology.
The tribals can also utilize the facilities, particularly the machine, which cost about Rs9 lakh, at the IFGTB, to produce the disc, he said. The machine can produce about 400 disc or cake in an hour.
The production cost of the disc would just cost Rs10 for a piece, while the tribals can market it for Rs15 or more, he added. The tribals have shown good interest in producing the products, which would be a step forward for them to move away from the primitive work in the forest.
The project if implemented would be of great benefit to the tribal people, said V Balan, a tribal,in Senguttai in Tholampalaym panchayat. Unlike before there is no constant source of income from forest area and this would be an alternative source to earn the income for tribals, he said.
Many of the people are still depended on the forest for livelihood. There are lean times when they find nothing in the forest. The project would empower the men and women and help to find an alternative source of income, said Selvi another tribal here.