Technology to extract Heiribob oil 80 pc complete: Dr Ghosh
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 13 2025: Central Citrus Research Institute (CCRI) has completed 80 per cent of the work to develop a technology for extracting oil from Heiribob, also known as Khasi Papeda or Shatkora, said CCRI director Dr Dilip Ghosh.

On Wednesday, Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department, Manipur signed a Memorandum of Technology agreement with CCRI, a branch of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Nagpur, Maharashtra on producing energy drinks and gummy from Kachai Lemon and Tamenglong Orange, for supply in the country and abroad.

Fruit Preservation Factory, Nilakuthi as the second party joined the pact signed at the Farmers' Training hall of Department of Agriculture, near Sanjenthong on Wednesday.

The signing ceremony was attended by CCRI director Dr Dilip Ghosh, Horticulture and Soil Conservation commissioner Thaithuilung Panmei, director K Devdutta Sharma, ICAR Manipur Centre head Dr C Vasudha, ICAR-CRRI Nagpur principal scientist Dr Subhra Saikat Roy, senior scientist Dr Naresh Meshram and officials of NABARD.

In his speech, CCRI director Dr Dilip Ghosh informed that the Institute working on a technology to extract oil from Heiribob, with 80 per cent of the work completed.

Once the technology is fully developed, the fruit, which is used as flavouring agent for dishes, would soon be available year long.

Regarding the memorandum, Dr Dilip said that the GI tagged Kachai Lemon and Tamenglong oranges would be made into energy drinks and gummies to be sold across the country and for export.

Apart from this, discussions would be held to develop other citrus fruits available in the state.

CAR-CRRI Nagpur principal scientist Dr Subhra Saikat Roy said that the technology being developed for extracting oil from Heiribob would be standardised so that people would be able to get the natural flavour yearlong.

He also said that apart from being able to consume fresh produces, many products could be made from the available produces in the state.

He strongly advocated organic farming, while urging for preserving the genetic resource of the plants found in the state from being lost outside the state.

Horticulture director K Devdutta Sharma said that the license agreement was signed to prevent the current over 40 per cent post-harvest loss.

He also that the Department has firm belief for pre-management to increase the area expansion and productivity of horticultural crops of the state.

For developing the agricultural and horticulture sector of the state, quality chain processing, quality management, branding and marketing is important, he stressed.

Horticulture and Soil Conservation commissioner cum secretary T Pamei highlighted the decline in production of Kachai Lemon and Tamenglong oranges, and called for solving this issue.

He then said that the agreement would benefit the farmers and entrepreneurs of the state, and urged farmers to undergo basic trainings, adding that the Department would provide all required support.

The programme was attended by around 40 ST&SC farmers.

Later, a farmer-scientist intersection programme was also organised.

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