POTENTIAL
OF GINGER
Y.
Sangita Devi, Ph.D. Student of JNU, Delhi.
Manipuri
is a small state situated at the north eastern part of India. It is a hilly
region. About 3/4 of the state are occupied by hills. At the central part there
is a valley where the population is very thick. Manipur depends on the natural
climatic condition in respect of cultivatin. There are few numbers of
Industries. The main occupation of the Manipuris are agro industries,
cultivation, handloom, etc. which cannot meet the means of livelihood about 1/5
of the whole population. The populations are about 25 lacks both in valley and
hilly region. The rocks are not very hard. The soil of the hill are adaptable
for pineapple, ginger, bamboo etc. The banana plantation are also suitable in
the slops naturally. There are no big rivers. The rivers are rain fed. In
summer, there are monsoon rain and in winter, there are no rains in the hills.
And also in the valley regularly. The main staple food of Manipur is rice both
in valley and hills. Though the Manipuris are very in labourous, there are lack
of raw materials for production in case of handloom. The vegetables which are
regularly produce can meet abundantly for the whole population thoughout the
whole of the year. Considering the unemployment problems now-a-days, the women
of Manipur now have started many small scall industries about the processing of
foods like preparation of fruit juices under the guidance of food and technology
in collaboration with Industry Department. The food technology system really
speaking, will make the Manipuris to get more production and may solved some
economic problem for Manipur as well as for India by starting the project about
ginger which are abundantly found in many parts in Manipur.
In
Ukhrul, which is about 60 km. from Imphal in the eastern part of Manipur, a
project about ginger has already started before some years. But in the other
districts also we need other projects which will inculcate many facilities for
the production of income to some extent. Considering the above facts, I, on
behalf of the Rural and Urban Development Womens' Association, am putting before
the delegates to give suggestions and innovate ideas for the National
Development by producing more products from the raw materials of ginger. Ginger
belongs to the class ZINGIBERACEAE. In Manipuri language, it is called "Shing",
in hindi it is called "Adrak" and bengali, it is called "Ada".
"Ginger" is english name. It is a Rhizomatous herb. It can be
cultivated during June to December which is rainy season. There are another
varities of ginger in Manipur, called Naga Shing, which has more fibre than the
less fibre type officinate Rose ginger. The Naga Shing is called "Banada"
in Hindi and Bengali. This type (Naga Shing) has more smell and stimulant. It is
given for flatulence and colic.
The
Rhizomatus herb after extracting, with honey is used as medicine in rhecematism
by the physicians. Our forefathers used the extract of Rhizomes (mainly outer
layer) for curing paralysis and to improve blood circulation. Every house in
Manipur are using the fresh ginger for the most of the curry. In making tea also
ginger powder or small cuts are used in Manipuri Houses.
Other
processes for ginger may be taken up as follows :
Ginger powder : First
the ginger before extracting the juices may be dried and crushed in crushing
machine. The dried powder may be sold by packets throught the whole of the year
for use.
The ginger Ale : The
fresh juice of ginger mixed with lemon juice in the ratio of 1:4 mixed with
water and sugar can prepare ginger ale. The rough proportion as instructed by
our resource (Home Science Department) are as :