Sir,
This refers to the news item’Governor inaugurates ‘Amla Fruit Show’ (DE,January1,2015). While appreciating the Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), for organising the amla exhibition, the Governor has rightly emphasised the need for motivating the farmers to adopt cultivation of amla in arid and wastelands to earn money and improve their standard of living.
The Governor has also emphasised for formation of cooperatives for marketing of amla products. Amla is known for its medicinal and nutritional properties. Though it not so tasty, it is full of many nutrients such as Vitamin C, minerals etc. It is an antioxidant and besides improving immunity, it slows the process of aging. It also finds reference in Ayurvedic texts and is known as the wonder fruit. It can be taken in various forms. The fruit can be eaten raw, in the powdered form, in the form of chutneys, pickles and jams, candys. Its oil can be used as hair oil to make our hair shiny and control hair fall.Its juice is also useful in reducing weight, when taken with honey.It is also one of the main ingredients of Ayurvedic Preparations such as Chywanprash, Triphla Churna etc. In view of its so many uses in Ayurvedic medicines and health care products such as hair oil,shampoos,etc it is much in demand in the industry.
Thus, there is need for departments such as Agriculture Department and Medical Department to conduct awareness programmes to aware the farmers about the cultivation and marketing of amla and its products. In view of the fact that it can grow in arid conditions, requires low investment and has high yield and value. Amla farming can prove to be a boon for the farmers and help them in earning a handsome income and thus, improve their standard of living.
Yours etc…
Ashok Sharma,
Udhampur.
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