Government to Launch Mahua-based Alcoholic Drink

Government to Launch Mahua-based Alcoholic Drink

Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III- Economy

In News:

• Mahuwa (Madhuca indica) is a prominent forest tree in tribal areas of Bastar, Chhattisgarh and plays an important role in the rural economy. 
• The mahuwa flowers are a rich source of sugars and are said to contain vitamins, minerals and calcium. 
• The flowers are fermented and distilled yielding spirituous liquor also known as ‘country beer’
• The beverage – Called Mahua Nutribeverage – has a high nutritional value and relatively low alcohol content (5 %) 
• It has been developed by IIT-Delhi after two years of research in collaboration with TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India).
• The marketing is being undertaken under the Tribal Affairs Ministry’s value-addition scheme called the Van Dhan Vikas Karyakram.

About Van Dhan Vikas Karyakram

• It is nation-wide programme for training tribal clusters to add value to their produce and sell it in a packaged format, aiming to increase their income manifold.
• The products marketed under the scheme include only those that need primary-level processing, including handicrafts, textiles, food items, jams and pulps, and jewellery
• Implementing Agency: TRIFED