In the Falgun Mundi program, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel arrived and tasted ice cream made from the fruit of the tendu tree as part of the innovative initiative of the district administration of Dantewada. The Chief Minister praised its taste and called it a commendable initiative. Notably, with the support of the Dantewada district administration, the Krishi Vigyan Kendra Dantewada, under the guidance of Indira Gandhi Agriculture University, Raipur, is making ice cream from seasonal tendu fruit.
The tendu tree is classified as a minor forest produce. Its leaves are used to make bidis, which are popularly known as “green gold” in Bastar. It is abundantly found in the eastern and central parts of India. So far, its leaves have been used commercially, and the fruit is consumed by rural people in their food and sold in local markets in the same season. The shelf life of fresh fruit is very short. However, by processing the fruit at minus 20-40 degrees Celsius, its taste can be enjoyed throughout the year. In this context, the Krishi Vigyan Kendra has started the innovative work of processing tendu fruit to make ice cream and tendu shakes.
According to research done on tendu fruit, it contains effective anti-oxidants that can prevent and reduce the risk of many diseases. The innovative initiative of making ice cream from the fruit can be a significant contribution to the rural economy and can help in creating new job opportunities.
