Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed for commercialization of technology- ‘Process for manufacturing of Nutmeg Pericarp Taffy’ between ICAR-CCARI, Goa & Goa State Biodiversity Board, Goa
Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed for commercialization of technology- ‘Process for manufacturing of Nutmeg Pericarp Taffy’ between ICAR-CCARI, Goa & Goa State Biodiversity Board, Goa
A Memorandum of
Agreement (MoA) was signed between ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural
Research Institute (ICAR-CCARI), Goa and Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB),
Goa, for commercialization of ICAR-CCARI’s technology “Process for
manufacturing of Nutmeg Pericarp Taffy” at ICAR-CCARI, Old Goa on
Friday, the19th February, 2021. This MoA was signed by Dr. E.B.
Chakurkar, Director (A), ICAR-CCARI and Dr. Pradip Sarmokadam, Member
Secretary, GSBB, Goa, in presence of Dr. A. R. Desai, Principal
Scientist (Horticulture) involved in developing this technology,
officials from GSBB, Goa and staff members of ICAR-CCARI, Goa. Dr.
Shripad Bhat, Member Secretary (ITMU) welcomed all the officials from
both ICAR-CCARI and GSBB, Goa and presented the highlights of this
non-exclusive licensing agreement which is valid for a period of five
years.
Dr. E. B. Chakurkar congratulated the GSBB,
Goa for entering into this MoA and also stressed the need for commercial
utilization and transfer of prospective technologies for the benefit of
farmers and agri-entrepreneurs in Goa state. Dr. Pradip Sarmokadam
thanked ICAR-CCARI, Goa and expressed that GSBB would like to work with
ICAR-CCARI for continued collaborative activities to promote conserving
biodiversity through sustainable use of biological resources of the
state. He also apprised that a new project has been initiated by GSBB,
Goa, "Conservation of Biodiversity through livelihood intervention with
the brand name GoVan" to enhance villagers' income, to create employment
opportunities, thereby conserving local bio resources.
Nutmeg fruit has about 80-85% of pericarp
(outer cover of nutmeg fruit) and high yielding nutmeg varieties produce
up to 100 kg of fresh pericarp per tree. The present practice is
collecting the nutmeg seeds and mace and generally discarding the
pericarp in the field for rotting. But, this technology helps in
effective utilisation of pericarp, otherwise discarded, by preparing the
Nutmeg Taffy, a value-added food product, in a commercially feasible
manner. This product fetches an additional income to farmers and
entrepreneurs apart from the yield of nutmeg spice products- nutmeg
seeds and mace. The product stores well at room temperature for about 12
months with simple packing without any synthetic preservatives.
ICAR-CCARI, Goa has already filed an application (application no:
201621012414) for patenting this technology. The Institute Technology
Management Unit facilitated the signing this MoA for further
commercialization.