Executive Summary : | The objectives of this proposal are to identify potential underutilized crops in Northeast India (NE India) and their functional properties profiling, develop nutritious, tasteful extrudedates using these crops, and popularize the developed technology for local growers. India is rich in biological resources and is considered one of the seventeenth mega biodiversity countries. The region is rich in plant diversity, with over 45,000 plant species, with 15,000 to 20,000 of medicinal and aromatic importance. Extrusion cooking of materials processed from underutilized crops is highly promising for preparing value-added traditional and novel products. The proposal aims to develop and disseminate improving technologies through action and participatory action research, diversifying livelihood earning options for local communities and helping conserve natural resources. The proposed bio-based scientific rural livelihood action plan blends transformative rural technologies with modern scientific advancements, providing viable livelihood options for improving yield potential of high-value wild underutilized crops, income generation from on-farm activities, and efficient conservation and management of existing natural resources. |