Raipur. At the Chhattisgarh Silver Jubilee Rajyotsav 2025, the Agriculture and Horticulture Department’s exhibition is making headlines for its innovative approach to women empowerment and self-employment. One of the key highlights is the live demonstration of making pulp and ice cream from custard apple (sitaphal) — a local fruit with immense potential for small-scale entrepreneurship.
The initiative aims to transform rural livelihoods by training women and college students in value addition and food processing, turning agricultural produce into profitable ventures.
University-Led Project Becomes a Model for Self-Reliance
Dr. Narayan Sahu, Dean of Mahatma Gandhi Horticulture and Forestry University, Durg, shared that preparing ice cream from custard apple pulp is not just a creative skill but a sustainable income-generating activity. The university’s project, launched to promote this innovation, has now evolved into a “model project” under the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India).
According to Dr. Sahu, the main objective of this initiative is not only to provide technical training but also to economically empower women and students. “Such efforts will give a new direction to the rural economy by blending traditional produce with modern entrepreneurship,” he added.Low Investment, High Profit: Women Discover a Path to Success
The participants — including women and students — expressed great enthusiasm about the training. They learned how custard apple pulp can be preserved and used to make ice cream and juice, products that are in high demand in local markets.
College student Diksha Mahant shared her excitement, saying, “We learned to make pulp and ice cream from custard apple and plan to start a small home-based business soon.”
Another trainee, Rashmi Banjare, highlighted that this initiative opens doors for household income generation through food preservation techniques, emphasizing that such training builds both self-confidence and self-reliance among women.
Empowering Rural Women Through Agri-Entrepreneurship
This project exemplifies how agriculture-based entrepreneurship can be a driving force for rural development. The low-cost model of producing custard apple ice cream offers women an opportunity to start their own ventures with minimal investment, leveraging locally available resources.
Through these efforts, the Agriculture and Horticulture Department of Chhattisgarh is not only promoting innovation in food processing but also creating new employment avenues in rural areas.A Step Toward Sustainable Rural Economy
The custard apple pulp and ice cream project is a perfect example of how academic institutions and government departments can collaborate to empower women and strengthen the local economy.
As Dr. Sahu emphasized, the university’s vision extends beyond training — it is about building a sustainable and self-reliant ecosystem where women and students can thrive as entrepreneurs.
The project’s growing popularity at Rajyotsav 2025 stands as proof that with the right guidance, innovation in agriculture can pave the way for economic independence and a stronger rural India.
The demonstration of custard apple pulp and ice cream making at Chhattisgarh Rajyotsav 2025 is not merely a culinary display — it’s a movement for empowerment, sustainability, and innovation. By integrating traditional agricultural produce with modern entrepreneurship, Chhattisgarh is setting an inspiring example for the rest of India in building a truly self-reliant and prosperous rural community.
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