I ndia has a Rs.15,000 Crores aromatic sector market which is rapidly growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.7% (2016-2022). Within the aromatic sector, lemon grass stands out as a major contributor due to the agro climatic suitability with a share of 80% in exports. Lemongrass oil is primarily used for the isolation of citral for manufacturing of Vitamin-A and has a good market value.

Background
Although lemon grass as a crop has covered a lot of ground in northern and southern states, it remains far-fetched dream for remote tribal areas of Manipur. Churachandpur and Tamenglong districts have majorly seen paddy and wheat production for agriculture livelihoods. With the growing expenses on agricultural operations and household needs, there was a need to shift cultivation towards high value crops. The climatic conditions in Manipur support lemongrass cultivation up to four times a year. Traditionally Jhum cultivation was practiced in this area, which leads to low productivity and reduced land usage. Substantial interventions like good farming practices, use of technology and value additions were the need of the hour.

Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) of Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME) provides funds for infrastructure, technological intervention, capacity building and skill training under the cluster development initiative. Indian Micro Enterprises Development Foundation (IMEDF), along with its on ground partner Partnership in Progress Mission Foundation, (PPMF) in Churachandpur, Manipur identified this opportunity and the cluster was developed in 2019.

Sustainable innovation
This cluster development program offers a decentralized approach of installing distillation units near the fields, for efficient use of farm resources and thus it reduces the transportation time.

With this intervention, the cluster has brought in state of art technology with sophisticated machines. The cluster now produces high grade oil with 75-85% of citral content. The citral content is higher than 80%¹, which already has an international market. Other interventions include installing mobile distillation units, 48 tray dryer, dhoop-making cone machines, tea cone blenders. Green energy sources such as solar and rain water harvesting models have been adapted. It acts as successful model in agro farming for essential oils and promotes local farming methods and produce.

Collection of lemongrass from farms in Churachandpur

Value addition and growing market
The product profile includes pure essential oils - lemongrass & citronella, fragrance cones, tea, tea bags, granules and herbal liquid hand wash. The medicine and wellness industry has boomed because of increased demand for natural organic aromatic plant-based products in the current pandemic situation.

Lemongrass tea bags of 75 gms each can be purchased at www.tchherbs.in

Impacts
Innovative high technology has created sustainable impacts on the lives and livelihoods of 860 farmers, particularly women and marginalized thus curbing migration. This has also brought about a major shift in Jhum cultivation practice by creating systematic cyclic value chains in farming.

"We are now able to invest in our children's education sufficiently. With the technological inputs,
newer generation too will participate in farming activities and generate revenues.
Our incomes have increased from Rs 1000-Rs 3000 with these interventions."

- Mr. Thangza Muan, farmer at Churachandpur Cluster

The farmers indulging in poppy cultivation have now joined the mainstream cultivation.² About 37 local people will get direct employment in the Common Facility Center (CFC) in various capacities and about 250 members of local SHGs will be engaged in preparation of handmade products. ■

Endnote:

Col. Raman Thapar
rthapar@devalt.org

Smriti Ahuja
smritiahuja198@gmail.com