By ROOPAK GOSWAMI
Guwahati, Oct 1: In a world where comfort and wellness have become essential elements of daily life, traditional bedding materials are increasingly being replaced by eco-friendly and health-conscious alternatives. One such innovation that has gained attention is the buckwheat pillow, an all-natural, eco-friendly solution to sleep discomfort.
Meghalaya has taken a big push in making diversified products from buckwheat and one of them is the buckwheat pillow. Buckwheat is similar in size to wheat kernels but has a triangular shape and a hull that must be removed before eating. It is sold roasted or unroasted, or ground into flour. Nutritionists say buckwheat is a very useful source of fibre and also provides several valuable nutrients.
Buckwheat is a good source of carbohydrates, protein and has no gluten at all. There are many value addition opportunities in buckwheat such as Buckwheat noodles, buckwheat bread, bakery items, buckwheat honey, etc to name a few.
The MFEC has identified buckwheat as a potential crop of agricultural significance well suited to mountain agriculture production systems, to meet nutritional and food security requirements of small and marginal farmers while supplementing their farm income basket.
Pilot trials were initiated in 2020 in 4 acres with subsequent trials being conducted parallelly in farmers’ field and the experimental fields of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, East Khasi Hills.
There has been a rapid expansion of areas under buckwheat cultivation from 4 acres in 2020 to close to 400 acres spread across the state despite setbacks in the initial phases of the pilot due to adverse weather events.
A structured buyback has been put in place to manage and utilize the farmers’ harvest for further expansion of area under the crop
” I had a cervical spondylosis problem about a decade back. Someone told me to use a buckwheat pillow and that time I imported it from Japan which cost me around Rs 6000. Once I started using it, there is no more problem now” Executive Advisor & Chairman MFEC B K Sohliya told TME.
The state has taken big steps in buckwheat cultivation and has around 400 acres now. ” There is a big demand domestically for buckwheat pillows and a tremendous export market for the seeds, especially from Japan, for which we are working to meet the demand in coordination with the Department of Agriculture & Farmers welfare, the KVKs and NECTAR” Sohliya said.
Buckwheat pillows have a lot of advantages and conform to the shape of your body, ensuring proper alignment and reducing strain on muscles and joints. The adjustable nature of buckwheat pillows helps maintain spinal alignment during sleep and buckwheat hulls allow air circulation within the pillow. It has reduced pressure points and the unique support helps alleviate discomfort and promotes better blood circulation. It is durable and Buckwheat pillows last a long time. They are eco-friendly too and as they are made with natural seed hulls, they encourage airflow and don’t trap heat.
” We spoke to one of our farmers Mr Wallamkupar Lyngrah, of Mawsiatkhnam village, East Khasi Hills, who got so much enamoured with the idea of growing buckwheat that he become one of the pioneers and earliest adopters of buckwheat cultivation and the first farmer entrepreneur to make buckwheat pillows from the hulls” Sohliya said. ”
He makes around 150 to 200 buckwheat pillows and sells them for Rs 1800-2500. ” Through the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, East Khasi Hills, Mr. Wallam has also been provided with equipment like a millet dehuller which he has modified to process buckwheat and separate the hulls from the seed.
The Meghalaya Farmers’(Empowerment) Commission has been doing training programmes on cultivation and post-harvest management of buckwheat to spread awareness about buckwheat and its prospects amongst farmers.
