Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 19: To mark ongoing Vanmahotsava & Azadi ka Amrit kaal, Food Craft Institute, in collaboration with Tree Talk founder, Om Prakash Sharma, PCCF (Rtd.) Vidyarthi, Member J&K Biodiversity council and Department of Horticulture organized Forest Food Festival-Kandmool Utsav, focusing on ethnic traditional & innovative cuisine development & on the spot demonstration for herbal innovators.
Appreciating the initiative of Food Craft Institute under the stewardship of the Principal Food Craft Institute, Jyoti Bhatti, Director Horticulture Ram Savak highlighted potential of cultivated & wild fruits in cuisine making, pickle & jam making, beverage & juice development with special focus on skill development of unemployed youth in J&K.
Om Prakash Sharma ,Retired PCCF familiarized participants with different kinds of herbal displays like beverages (Oleaster, Barberry juice), herbal teas (Kachnar, Kakoha, Brammi, Bhojpatra),vegetable dahi raita (Sullu spurge, Gualmanda, Timbru), rice preparation with herbs (Watercress, Timbru, Thyme, Telosma, Moringa, Curry patta), innovative poori using herbs (Thyme, Timbru, Kaimblu, Watercress, Kala zira, mint), traditional Ribdu khatta (using stems of Remusatia vivipara),innovative sauces & pickles (Kasrode fern, Sohanjna root, Timbru fruits, Thyme leaf, Dheu, Kachnar, Amara, Surangal, Tarad),sweet desserts (using floral colour of Mawal Kalga, Daruharidra), innovative lassi & snacks (Euphorbia royleana,Thymus serphyllum, Pueraria tuberosa)
The Principal FCI Jyoti Bhatti, while welcoming guests & herbal innovators, shared his learning of previous year’s food innovations and felt amazed to see the diversity of edible plants growing in the wilderness. He briefed participants about ongoing skill development programmes/ training courses run by Food Craft Institute.
Dr. Sanjay Khajuria, Chief Scientist and Head KVK Samba gave detailed insights into preservation and promotion of the forest food crops. He strongly advocated to preserve our green gold.
Dr. Sanjay Singh, Regional Director Ayurveda Research Institute, Jammu also highlighted the importance of forest foods and its health importance with regard to Ayurveda.
Prominent among others present included Ashwani Kumar, Chief Horticulture Officer, Jammu, Sandeep Gupta, Research Officer, Vijay Kumar, DFO Marwah Forest Division & Deepu Pandita.
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