Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) is ushering in a new era of eco-friendly celebrations with the introduction of herbal colors for Holi, derived primarily from marigold and rose flowers, imbuing festivities with vibrant hues of yellow, orange, and purple. Spearheaded by plant physiologist Shalini Jhanjii, the project offers packs of 50 grams each, now available for procurement through the department.
This initiative offers residents a chance to revel in Holi’s spirit using locally sourced floral pigments, a significant departure from conventional synthetic alternatives. Jhanjii elucidated the superiority of these natural hues, highlighting their ease of removal compared to their synthetic counterparts, which often intensify with increased water usage, posing potential health hazards due to chemical composition, including traces of glass.
The genesis of this endeavor traces back approximately three years, culminating in endorsement by the university’s research evaluation committee in June of the preceding year. Since then, the department has conducted several informative sessions, illuminating farmers on the value addition prospects inherent in this sustainable approach.
In the pursuit of sustainability, Jhanjii affirmed the department’s commitment to ensuring minimal wastage of floral resources. This ethos is manifest in their proactive engagement with farmers through stalls at Kisan Melas, igniting curiosity among agricultural practitioners eager to adopt eco-conscious practices. Leveraging support from the state government, the department aims to impart training to farmers, facilitating the establishment of independent enterprises geared towards herbal color production.
With a keen eye on outreach, the department has initiated dialogues with prospective candidates, laying the groundwork for forthcoming training sessions aimed at empowering farmers with the requisite skills and infrastructure to embark on this eco-friendly journey.