SEPPA, Feb 15: An awareness programme on ‘conservation, cultivation, sustainable utilization and nutritional value of Tashe of Arunachal Pradesh’ was organized at the daily market here in East Kameng district on Friday by Itanagar-based CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology (NEIST) in collaboration with Koloriang-based Lifeline Multipurpose Society Limited (LMSL).
NEIST senior scientist Dr Chandan Tamuly highlighted the importance of Tashe, its nutritional value and health benefits.
“Tashe is used as a substitute of staple food since time immemorial. The Puroik community of Arunachal Pradesh feels that Tashe is a gift of god. During times of food crises the local people used it as their primary food,” Dr Tamuly said.
“It has been found from investigation that Tashe is a good energy supplier and there is a high content of carbohydrate, potassium, calcium, etc, in it,” he said.
Dr Tamuly said that after proper bio-chemical analysis, Tashe can be used as source of income generation.
“However market linkage is a major concern in this regard,” he said, adding that a suitable market linkage can be established with the help of NGOs, SHGs and cooperative societies.
LMSL promoter Kipa Kaman described the advantage and uses of Tashe, compared to other cultivated crops.
He urged the people to conserve and cultivate Tashe throughout the state, and assured to provide all support to interested farmers who want to cultivate Tashe for income generation.
Kaman also explained the many uses of Tashe.
Duda supermarket chairman Dadi Bokar and AGS Tangu Flago were also present at the programme, which was coordinated by local progressive farmer Nisan Flago.
Around 80 people attended it.
