Creation of facility for Post-Harvest Management
Role of RCFC NR-1 in Developing a Post-Harvest Management Unit for Medicinal Plants
In the Medicinal Plants Sector, high-quality raw material in the form of crude drug material is crucial. The raw materials must come from both wild habitats and cultivated sources to meet the quality standards required for producing specific herbal products. Ensuring genuine and high-quality raw materials demands several steps, including access to the right mother plant stock, sound collection and cultivation practices, and harvesting at the appropriate stage. This entire process is referred to as Post Harvest Management (PHM), emphasizing the need for proper training and awareness among individuals and communities involved in this sector.
Need for RCFC NR-1
RCFC NR-1, with its focus on sustainable practices in the Medicinal Plants Sector, plays a pivotal role in addressing these challenges. Given the complexity of PHM, a central facility for Post-Harvest Management is crucial. This facility not only serves as a demonstration center but also provides skillupgrading training to various stakeholders such as herb collectors, small and marginal farmers, SHGs, clusters, and FPOs in the region. The RCFC NR-1 PHM unit addresses the entire processing pipeline, including:
- Primary Processing Activities: Washing, drying, cutting, and grading in the initial phase.
- Semi-Processing and Value Addition: Once primary processing is complete, stakeholders can engage in semi-processing and value addition to competitively market their products.
Objectives of the PHM Unit
The proposed model PHM unit aims to achieve several objectives, which highlight the importance of RCFC NR-1 in the Medicinal Plants Sector:
- Training and Demonstration: The unit acts as a center for educating and training herb cultivators and collectors about Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) involved in Post-Harvest Management.
- Quality Assurance: Ensuring high-quality raw materials through primary processing to increase marketability and acceptance.
- Value Addition: Facilitating processing and value addition to improve market prices and appeal in later phases.
- Branding and Packaging: Addressing requirements for licensing, branding, and scientific packaging to enhance market acceptance and competitiveness.
Proposed Implementation Plan
To address the challenges faced by farmers in warehousing and marketing, RCFC NR-1 plans to establish a pilot-scale Model PHM unit at the Herbal Garden complex at R.I. in ISM, Joginder Nagar. The available workspace in the Tissue Culture Lab & Herbal Store Building will be used to house quality control instruments and herbal storage space. This facility will offer:
- Common and Centralized Facility: Addressing storage and primary processing needs for various stakeholders.
- Equipment and Machinery: A budget allocation for the necessary equipment, providing a justification for the required instruments based on committee recommendations.
- Community Participation: Ensuring a collaborative approach towards product licensing, branding, and packaging with community involvement.
Through these concerted efforts, RCFC NR-1 aims to streamline the Post-Harvest Management process, empowering stakeholders and contributing to a more robust Medicinal Plants Sector.