Leading biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak organised an exposure visit to the Jirsong Agro Producer Company Limited Ginger Processing Centre at Manja, Karbi Anglong, on 18 June for a group of women from the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong Landscape.
The visit involved eight women engaged in food processing and aimed to enhance their knowledge of producing value-added products from crops such as ginger and turmeric, thereby improving their income opportunities through food processing enterprises.
The exposure visit began with a tour of the Jirsong Agro Producer Company Limited Ginger Processing Centre, where participants interacted with company members and observed various food-processing units and machinery.
The participants learned about the uses of different processing equipment and were introduced to two ginger varieties – Rio de Janeiro and Nadia, locally known as Dangor Jaat and Horu Jaat – which differ in their oleoresin and fibre content.
The company representatives explained how a single crop like ginger can be transformed into a range of value-added products, including graded salted ginger, ginger powder, and ginger candy, which have higher market value than raw produce. They also shared insights on processing techniques, quality control, packaging, and marketing strategies.
The exposure visit enhanced the knowledge and skills of women from the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong Landscape in ginger value addition and food processing. It increased their confidence and awareness of livelihood opportunities through the production and marketing of value-added agricultural products.
Anjana Rongpharpi, a member of the women’s entrepreneurship community, shared that the exposure visit was highly useful and informative for rural women of the Kaziranga–Karbi Anglong Landscape. She learned various ginger value-addition techniques, including processing, drying, packaging, and marketing of ginger products. The visit enhanced her entrepreneurial knowledge and motivated her to explore income-generating opportunities through ginger processing.
Officials of the Jirsong Asong Ginger Processing Centre shared their experiences of overcoming challenges during the initial stages of establishing the enterprise. They explained that issues such as market fluctuations, inadequate processing facilities, post-harvest losses, and limited technical knowledge can be addressed through collective action, proper training, value addition, quality control, and strong market linkages.
They encouraged women entrepreneurs, farmers, and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to work together, adopt improved processing techniques, and focus on quality production, branding, and attractive packaging to achieve sustainable income and long-term business success.
The Aaranyak team expresses its sincere gratitude to Jiten Sarangfasha and Pranab Jyoti Deuri of Jirsong Agro Producer Company Limited for their invaluable support and guidance, which contributed to the successful completion of the exposure visit.
Aaranyak is committed to the conservation of the rich biodiversity and natural heritage of NE India by supporting our indigenous people and local communities for Alternative and Sustainable Livelihoods and other nature-based solutions. The visit was made successful with support from IUCN-KfW, the US Fish and Wildlife Services, and the Disney Conservation Fund.
