Garlic capsules produced by Kota women in high demand

Women workers at Krishi Vigyan Kendra are producing garlic capsules and selling it online which has now created a huge demand for the product in the market.

Kota: Anti-oxidant and a natural cancer fighter, 500 and 1000 mg garlic capsules produced in Rajasthan's Krishi Vigyan are now in high demand across the country.

A group of ten women in Kota are engaged in the production of garlic capsules at Krishi Vigyan Kendra has grabbed the limelight by selling these capsules online. Garlic is not only known to boost one's immunity but also keep other chronic diseases at bay and speeds up the repairing process of DNA.

To avoid the foul odor, garlic powder is filled in an empty capsule made of animal gelatin and rice bran. The price ranges between Rs 1 to 3. Rice bran garlic capsules are more expensive as compared to gelatin ones.

Krishi Vigyan Kendra official Dr Mamata Tiwari listed out benefits of consuming garlic, adding that it has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties making it suitable for human skin.

"It also helps in curbing heart-related ailments and controls blood cholesterol and keeps blood thick. Garlic also helps in fighting against diseases like arthritis, neuritis and cancer. Garlic capsules are now soaring in demand and we have made animal gelatin and rice bran tablets. The price of capsules depends on the market price of garlic," she said.

Krishi Vigyan Kendra worker Gayatri Vaishnav says that it takes a total span of ten days to produce garlic capsules.

Vaishnav explains that the garlic is put in the machine to get them separated and then the process of drying them starts.

"Once the garlic becomes completely dry, we remove the skin manually and they are ground to make powder which is later filled with gelatin," she said, adding that 100 grams of garlic powder is prepared from a kilogram of garlic.

The workers at Krishi Vigyan Kendra adheres to strict COVID-19 guidelines and makes sure that hygiene is maintained. The workers always wear caps, masks and gloves while working.

Another employee Surat Suman said, " When the new harvest of garlic comes, then its prices are very low. This is the right time to purchase the raw material for the capsules, when the cost of garlic for 30 to 50 rupees per kg, so that we can store it too. The 500 mg and 1000 mg capsules are prepared from this garlic, whose price varies according to the range. These are also packed in a box of 50 and 100 grams."

The garlic capsules, packed in different weight packets as per the demand, are sold by entrepreneurs.