14/11/2019
Now, Says Brand ‘Amarkantak Kodo’,
Get It anywhere in the Country
• Women SHGs Produced Kodo, IGNTU Packaged it and It become a Symbol of Rural Empowerment
• A Packet of Kodo to All MLAs will be given by Local MLA Phundelal Singh Marko
• IGNTU Played Pivotal Role in Packaging and Marketing of ‘Amarkantak Kodo’
• Honey and Gulbakawali will be Available Soon Under Brand ‘Amarkantak’
Amarkantak (Anuppur), 03 October, 2019
Cumulative efforts by two Women Self Help Groups, Local MLA Phundelal Singh Marko, District Administration and Indira Gandhi National Tribal University has resulted in a nutritional Product ‘Amarkantak Kodo’ on the auspicious occasion of 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. With brand ‘Amarkantak’, this Kodo product will be available in every corner of the Country, thanks to the ready response by leading retailers. There will be more products by local farmers including Honey and Gulbakawali very soon under brand ‘Amarkantak’. It is hoped that this initiative will change the whole economics of the Amarkantak Region, thanks to the faculty members of IGNTU.
Kodo Millet is considered a substitute to wheat or rice. It has been cultivated in Amarkantak region for centuries and used as an essential nutrient in the food by local tribes. It has many proven scientific qualities including anti diabetic, antioxidant and anti microbial activity, anti hypertension, anti obesity and it reduces cholesterol considerably. Local MLA Phundelal Singh Marko has echoed its benefits in Vidhan Sabha and requested government to launch its products at national level. Thanks to his efforts, Annuppur Collector Chandra Mohan Thakur coordinated among two SHGs-Laxmi and Satguru, Bahpuri Block in Pushprajgarh, Department of Agriculture and ATMA and Business Management Department-Livlihood Business Incubation Center of IGNTU. On the auspicious occasion of 150th Gandhi Jayanti on 02 October product with brand name ‘Amarkantak Kodo’ has been launched. IGNTU will provide packaging and marketing help to SHGs in realizing their dreams.
While launching the product, Shri Marko highlighted different health benefits of Kodo and hailed the efforts by local administration and IGNTU to launch it at national level. ‘Kodo is an important nutritional part in the food of tribes in Amarkantak region. We should come forward and create awareness about health benefits by Kodo through a campaign’, he suggested. He announced that a packet of ‘Amarkantak Kodo’ will be given as a gift to all MLAs in Pradesh Vidhan Sabha by him.
District and Session Judge Dr. Subhash Kumar Jain said that different sweet products by using Kodo can also be launched in similar packaging. ‘Kodo has tremendous health benefits. Its delicious products should have reach in every corner of the Country. With brand name ‘Amarkantak Kodo’ launching, it is a true tribute to father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th Birth Anniversary as Gandhiji always envisioned rural empowerment through such efforts’, he added.
Prof. T.V. Kattimani, Vice-Chancellor, IGNTU elaborated new initiatives taken by the University to establish itself as learning as well as training center for un-employed youths of the region. ‘We are imparting different certificate training to less educated youth through LBI. Brand ‘Amarkantak’ will soon witness more products like honey and Gulbakawali along with other ayurvedic medicines with similar brand. We are committed to make a difference at national level through our innovative approach. We will ensure that every single penny earned in the process should reach the farmers. We are in regular touch with national retailers for these products. We will ensure its attracitve packaging and effective branding with expertise available with us’, he added.
Annuppur Collector Chandra Mohan Thakur said that faculty members and researchers should come forward to make more products out of the bio-diversity in Amarkantak region. He encouraged rural women to come forward with many more products. Superintendent of Police Ms. Kiranlata hoped that this will increase the income level of the locals and will significantly decrease the crime level in the region. Dr. Ashish Mathur explained different efforts by LBI. The programme was attended by farmers, faculty members and students of the University.