Agencies
GUWAHATI, MARCH 6
A scientifically developed organic "gulal" from tapioca by scientists of the Assam Agricultural University is still waiting to be introduced commercially.
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research in 2011 had selected it for use commercially. The organic product was developed using a simple technology but is still awaiting the go-ahead for mass production. Incidentally, last year, the product had been sold in small quantities at an agriculture fair in Diphu in Karbi Anglong.Holi is here and the organic colour could not make its market debut for want of initiative. However, an organic gulal developed by the National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, got the nod for commercial production. "Entrepreneurs need to come forward and do the bidding. We develop technologies but somehow we are not able to transfer them for mass production," said Priyanka Das, one of the three scientists who developed the product.
"The tapioca crop is widely grown in the northeast. It is up to the government and private parties to take the lead," added Das. Chemical colours have flooded the market and it's a matter of great concern for the public health. Doctors advise people time and again not to use chemical powders as they are harmful. "Every year after Holi I get patients complaining of skin irritations and allergies. If an organic product could be developed and made available in the market, there would be fewer cases," said H Borah, a medical practitioner.
