Raipur, 09 March 2023
Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel, who reached the Falgun Mandai program today, also tasted ice cream made from tendu fruit under the innovation initiative of the district administration, Dantewada. Appreciating its taste, the Chief Minister called it a commendable initiative. It is worth mentioning that under the guidance of Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Raipur, in collaboration with the District Administration, Dantewada, the work of making ice cream from the fruits of seasonal tendu is being done by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Dantewada.
Tendu tree comes under the category of minor forest produce. Its leaves are used to make Beedi, which is popularly known as Green Gold in Bastar. It is found in abundance in eastern parts of India and central India. Till now its leaves have been used commercially and the villagers use the fruit for their food and earn income by selling it in the local markets in the same season. The shelf life of fresh ripe fruits is very short. Tendu fruit can be relished throughout the year if the pulp of the fresh fruit is processed and kept at minus 20-40 degree Celsius temperature. In line with which the work of innovation related to making ice cream and tendu shake by processing tendu fruit has been started by Krishi Vigyan Kendra.
According to the research done in tendu fruit, tendu fruit is an effective antioxidant, good source of fibre, beneficial for heart disease and helpful in controlling diabetes. Along with this, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and other minerals are found in good quantity in this fruit.
