Chheki Wangchuk of Forestry Products Sector in SNV Bhutan said a market survey showed that amla is found in nine of the 14 gewogs in Mongar and the approximate total resource potential of amla from Mongar is up to 14,170 kilograms.
In collaboration with the regional Trade and Industry Office, Regional Agriculture Marketing Services and RNR-RC Whengkhar in Mongar, SNV Bhutan has been working on the development of the amla value chain in Mongar.
Dr Jagar Dorji, NC member from Trongsa, wrote that amla is available in Trongsa and Zhemgang. He said drying the fruits by using solar energy trapped through glass wares should work well as the amla-growing areas are in low altitude and warm enough to capture enough sunlight.
Dr Jagar also wrote about that the right to harvest the fruits should be given only to the villagers living in the amla- growing areas. They can supply either in fresh state or dried or powdered form.
Amla also grows in abundance in Metsho Gewog and many other places in Lhuentse Dzongkhag.
A study found out that amla is used in incense sticks and medicinal powders. The gooseberry tea produced by the Institute of Traditional Medicines Services (ITMS) uses amla. In 2009, its projected requirement of dried amla was 1000 kg.
Nado incense unit in Thimphu also uses dried amla which is mostly imported from India. Small quantities of fresh amla are bought locally.
Bio Bhutan and Bhutan Agro Industries limited have expressed interest in making amla juice, jam, pickle and health drinks, said Chheki Wangchuk.
Dr Thimmaiah of SNV-Bhutan said processing and value addition of amla was very important. It could range from amla juice, chutneys and pickles to digestive powders.
Amla pickles in sachets are quite popular among children in Thimphu.
Dr Thimmaiah said that in Zhemgang, where there is malnutrition, amla can address it to some extent. The surplus amla after marketing can be dried, powdered and a tablespoon every day can act as a nutrient supplement, he said.
He also said the rural communities could benefit a lot by marketing amla through collective marketing by formAmla could help reduce povertying producer organizations of local farmers or women groups.
During his visit to the poorest village in Lhuentse, beginning this year, Gross National Happiness Commission Secretary, Karma Tshiteem, had said amla could help the farmers earn additional income if market for such wildly grown forest produce was explored.
Chheki Wangchuk said SNV was interested in piloting best practices in the collection and marketing of amla, learning ways to link to markets, how best to divert the current demands for amla producers in rural communities to promote income generation activities.
Amla is an important medicinal plant widely used in the Asian region. In the ancient Ayurvedic texts, amla or Indian Gooseberry is considered the food of gods. In Sanskrit, it is known as Dhatri meaning ‘nurse’ due to its excellent healing properties.
Amla is a rich source of vitamin C (16-20 times more vitamins than oranges) and is used for curing a variety of diseases of eyes, stomach, liver, lungs, urinary system and skin.
By Rabi C. Dahal
A news report on Bhutan Observer news paper 25 May 2009 issue