When a Himachali dish aided Kerala flood relief

Nagpur: An ethnic delicacy of Himalayan regions travelled to Kerala when the coastal state reeled under floods this monsoon. Over 50,000 cans of Kangri Dham — a traditional food of Himachal Pradesh— were sent to Kerala as part of relief material which flooded the southern state after the deluge. The canned dish was also put up on display at Agrovision, the annual farm expo patronized by Union surface transport minister Nitin Gadkari. The three-day fair ended on Monday.
Kangri Dham is a traditional food of Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IBHT) developed its canned version two years ago. IBHT plans to popularize the dish in other parts of the country and also encouraging commercial production by private industry. IBHT also sent another 50,000 cans of khichdi made using herbs exclusively found in Himachal Pradesh as relief material.

IBHT is a research agency under Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Kangri Dham and other canned foods developed by the institute were among the prominent exhibits at the CSIR stall at Agrovision. IBHT is also offering technology on non-exclusive basis to private entrepreneurs for canned food.

“The idea is to create a larger market for traditional Himachali food. Despite the potential, cuisine has remain limited to the state. Kangri Dham is a mix of pulses, dry fruits and local vegetables grown in Kangra area and is popular during festivities,” said an IBHT official at the Agrovision stall.

The canned version of Kangri Dham was developed around two years ago. This was followed by herbal khichdi. Technology to make canned Kangri Dham and khichdi have been offered to two units in Delhi and Himachal Pradesh respectively. The institute is keen to offer knowhow to other enterprises too, he said.

During the flood, orders were directly placed by the institute to manufacturers. The response was encouraging, said the IBHT official. IBHT is also eyeing hospitals for its canned khichdi which is being promoted as light and hygienic food, he said.

The institute is also keen on promoting cultivation of stevia in Vidarbha region. The plant is used as a substitute of sugar. At present, cultivation is undertaken on 200 acres in Himachal and Punjab under the institute’s guidance. There are plans to add 50 acres in Vidarbha too, said the official.

Later, addressing the closing function of Agrovision expo Gadkari urged the farmers to take advantage of the latest technology saying such efforts would help in ending farmers’ suicide.