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.
AboutVan 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
