Development of a pilot plant for production of high value, flaked/powder and stabilized liquid or infusion type products from wide variety of plants with exotic flavour aroma, bioactivity or functionality from indigenous plants of Hailakandi district, Assam

DBT Sanction Order No. & Date: No. BT/PR45568/SPD/24/867/2022

Name of Principal Investigator: Dr. Siddhartha Singha (IITG)

Development of a pilot plant for production of powder & flake type dehydrated products plus condiments type products

• This objective has been achieved completely.
• Proposed process line has been established
• SOP for all the major processing equipment was developed
• Trial of 10 products were done; Centella asiatica powder, Rosella leaf powder, Rosella calyx based proprietary beverage, Tea (Camellia sinensis) beverage mix, Turmeric powder, Spice mix, roasted black rice powder, and puffed rice powder mix

Training &entrepreneurship development BRC Hailakandi-IITG adopted two models of entrepreneurship development (Figure 2); single stage model where the SHG members, individuals and students from Hailakandi are trained and empowered to start their own enterprise. The other model targeted any start up based in Hailakandi or elsewhere but has a backward or forward linkage. Such Start-ups were empowered with the technical and managerial innovation which can further create secondary entrepreneurs form Hailakandi.

Bio Resource Complex at SS College Hailakandi and IITG has developed pilot plant level facility for dried, powder and extract type of products from different plants which is being used for training and demonstration, contract manufacturing, and process development. The facility is handholding over 50 SHG members and created one Start up for medicinal mushroom recently. On the technology development side, the facility is consistently generating exotic and herbal beverages from local resources. In last one year the project has produced two important scientific publications; a data base of 310 medicinally important plants and a manuscript Feasibility of microwave drying for analysis and processing of medicinal plants that is uploaded in Research Square. BRC has established a forward linkage with Tholua India for Entrepreneurs active in the area of dehydrated fruits and vegetables. Similarly, there is very strong possibility of entrepreneurship development in Honey, Rice products and RTE products for the women and other entrepreneurs of Hailakandi. The BRC is evolving into an important facility for local bodies like NULM, NRLM, KVK, District Administration etc. Also this facility has been identified as a possible epicentre of many Sustainability (CSR) projects. Contribution and importance of the Complex is getting recognized by industries, line ministries and local member of parliament.