CTD/SESS has developed a range of FSSAI-compliant, nutrition-rich, Packaged Millet Products, has custom-scaled related equipment/machinery and evolved a Rural Enterprise Model so as to boost demand for Millets, motivate farmers to revive their cultivation, and generate new rural livelihoods and incomes in the rural economy in Uttarakhand. Uk is the third largest millet-producing State in India, and millet cultivation forms an important part of traditional agriculture here, but is declining as elsewhere in India due to consumer preference for ‘fine’ grains such as rice and wheat. The pilot ‘Mother’ Unit was set up in Sahaspur, Dehradun District with the idea that ‘Satelite’ Units from hill areas would network with it by supplying intermediates.
Grains processed include mandua (Finger Millet or Ragi), jhangora (Barnyard Millet) and Ramdana (Amaranth). Products include Cookies, Rusks, Flour, Malted flour with breakfast Cereal to come. Besides the baked products which contain about 50% Millet flour by weight, innovations include a multi-grain Millet De-Huller in collaboration with TNAU, Coimbatore.
Satellite Units have been set up, mainly in the Jaunsar-Bavar ST areas, through the millennium Alliance Award (Round 4) which also supports scale-up efforts. These units make de-hulled Millets and Millet flours which they supply to the Mother Unit or sell in the market as they choose.