PREPARATION OF AGARBATI (DHUP)

Introduction

As branded agarbati is costly, the local people buy the local made agarbati which is made manually. Dhup making is one of the main sources of income of the rural population of the Manipur State. It is an essential item in ritual ceremony and is used in many households in everyday life. The local made agarbati is made of ‘Mengkruk’(a scented crystal), charcoal, water and an imported scented brownish powder.

Market Potential

There are a few units making agarbati and their production is not adequate to meet the demand of the local population. The local made agarbati or dhup is highly demanded as the cost of the branded agarbati is high comparing with the local ones.

Materials Required

Powdered Mekruk
Scented Powder
Charcoal Powder
Water
Bamboo Chips

Process

The main steps are:-

Cutting the bamboo chips into fine sticks which is about 6 inches long.
Making a paste by mixing together with powdered Mekruk, charcoal powder and scented powder in the same amount .
Rolling of the fine stick with the paste.
Rolling with the scented powder.

Machinery

Sharp knife
a wooden frame or a small table
a plate
a grinder

Infrastructure

Building/shed…………………………100sq. ft

Water…………………………………nominal

Some important information regarding the ‘dhup’ makers

The cost of 100 sticks is Rs. 12 only.
The cost of 1kg of Mekruk is Rs. 30 and the cost of 1kg of scented powder is Rs. 35.
The cost of 1 sack of charcoal is Rs. 140.
Every agarbati maker can make about 1000 sticks of agarbati in a day.

Their per capita income is Rs. 30,000/-(apprx.)

Fig: Dhup/Agarbati making