Sal Seed Butter Extraction — Odisha and Jharkhand

Sal (Shorea robusta) seeds fall in June–July and are collected by tribal communities in Odisha, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh. Seeds are dried, shelled, and the kernels pressed or solvent-extracted to yield sal fat — a cocoa butter equivalent used in confectionery, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Residual cake is used as cattle feed. The NTFP (Non-Timber Forest Produce) trade supports millions of tribal families. Sal fat has a melting point close to body temperature, making it ideal for chocolate coatings. Tribal women's cooperatives process and sell sal butter to Amul, Cadbury, and export markets.