Khunti, 20 July (Hindustan Times). There was a time when a fat Manaj like Maduva was called the sending of the poor. Due to poverty, people could not buy rice and wheat, so the cheapest Maduwa was the basis of their living. Even though now scientists are understanding the importance of coarse grains and are promoting the cultivation of grains like Maduva, Jowar. Even the Central Government has declared 2023 as Millets Year. Earlier people used Maduva only in the form of bread, but now Biscuit, Bread, Jam, Cookies and many other delicious food items are being made from Maduva.
Women of Torpa block of Khunti district are making Maduva biscuits, cookies, bread, toast etc. in such a way that even the biggest brands seem to be failing. There is also a huge demand for these Maduva products in the local market and women are not only earning well by producing various types of Maduva food items, but are also improving their economic condition. It is no longer the day when women confined themselves to domestic work by being imprisoned in the walls of the house, but today women are matching step by step with men in the field of employment.
Whether it is office work or managing business or any other difficult task, women are proving their success by progressing in every direction. The result of this is that today the participation of women in every work has increased. Now women are becoming self-reliant by taking advantage of the development schemes being run by the central and state governments.
Women are running business sitting at home after getting training in food processing from Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society (JSLPS). Dozens of women including Priya Topno, Mamta Kumari, Anima Bhengra, Neelam Bhengra, Rekha Devi, Shilvantri Aind, Olibha Nag, Angela Horo of Torpa Block are doing their business by joining Mahila Mandals. The women who make Maduwa’s biscuits, cookies, jam etc. in Torpa tell that they have received 15 days training in food processing in Khunti and are making Muwa’s bakery products under the name of Torpa Bakery Unit in Torpa block premises. The women associated with this business told that about a month ago they have started the business of making bakery from Maduv and the demand for these products is also very good in the market. People are liking them very much.
Maduva’s Biscuit is a nutritious treasure for five rupees.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also talked about the goods made from Maduva in Mann Ki Baat. The Prime Minister had said that farmers in rural areas produce Maduwa, Maize and Barley, but do not get fair price in the market. Because of this, the farmers do not get special benefits from their cultivation. Because of this, farmers are going away from their farming. The Prime Minister had appealed to the farmers to bring their products to the market by doing value addition. Due to the high amount of iron, calcium in Madwa, it is similar to nutrition for adolescent girls and pregnant women.
Machines received from JSSPS
Priya Topno of the bakery unit told that after taking 15 days training from Khunti, Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society gave her several machines including three dag ovens, crufers, two mixer machines, salasar cutter, freezer, microwave oven. With this, we are making Maduva cakes, biscuits, jam cookies, bread and toast and giving them to the customers.
