Five quality testing laboratories have been set up inChhattisgarhunder the states indigenous brand Chhattisgarh Herbals to ensure good quality standards of the products.
These laboratories have been established at the forest circle level in Raipur, Ambikapur, Jagdalpur,Kanker, andBilaspur. An official release said that these laboratories will be operated by Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce (Trading and Development) Co-operativeFederation Limited.
According to the prescribed protocol, testing of 65 minor forest produce, and 59 medicinal, 46 edible, seven cosmetics, and 22 other products will be done in the laboratory. The testing will include all the district unions andVan Dhan Vikas Kendrasfalling under the respective forest circle.
Members of nearly 8,011 self-help groups (SHG) are engaged in the work of processing minor forest produce across the state. Products worth 6.38 crores were sold in the year 2021-22.