ICAR-CCARI Goa’s invention Nutmeg Taffy receives patent

ICAR-CCARI’s Nutmeg Pericarp Taffy allows farmers to earn an additional annual income of Rs 5,600 per tree, apart from the yield of nutmeg spice products.

The invention “Process for preparing Nutmeg Taffy and resultant food product thereof” invented by Dr A.R Desai and the team of ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Goa has been granted Patent No. 528119.

Nutmeg is an important spice crop of India which is mainly grown for nutmeg seed and mace. After collecting these economic products, farmers often leave behind nutmeg pericarp in the garden for rotting. Nutmeg pericarp, which makes up 80-85 per cent of the fresh weight of the fruit, is known for its high nutritional value. ICAR-CCARI, Goa developed Nutmeg Pericarp Taffy, a product that stores well at room temperature for 12 months without synthetic preservatives. This technology allows farmers to earn an additional annual income of Rs. 5,600/tree, apart from the yield of nutmeg spice products. The product is simple, requires no costly equipment, and is commercially acceptable. It has been commercialized twice with M/s Tanshikar Spice Farm, Netravali, and Goa State Biodiversity Board.

Farmers, agri-entrepreneurs, self-help groups, small and medium-scale food industries, and agro-ecotourism centers were the potential beneficiaries of the technology.

ICAR-CCARI’s Nutmeg Pericarp Taffy allows farmers to