ARTICLE BY : VIKAS TOAMR
lemongrass medicinal and aromatic grass which is used by fragrance cosmeceutical aromatherapy and pharmaceutical industries.
Lemongrass is a medicinal and aromatic grass which is used by fragrance cosmeceutical aromatherapy and pharmaceutical industries. Lemongrass also known by its scientific name Cymbopagan Flexuosus and Cymbopogan Citrutus is a tall sadge herb which widely grows in the tropical and subtropical countries specially in Southeast Asia East Asia, Africa and Australia.
Lemongrass has a high percentage of citrus present on its oil. The commercial farming of lemon grass is growing day by day. Lemongrass is a green, tall and perennial grass of 1 meter in height and its leaves are long.
Lemon grass can be grown in farms, fields, backyard, pots and terrace throughout the year provided there is sufficient sunshine and irrigation facilities and this works as an excellent insect repellent and it is easy to grow and less attracting my pests and diseases.
With proper crop management practices and marketing plants in lemon grass production and use profit can be obtained.
CLIMATIC CONDITIONS – SOIL AND IRRIGATION
Lemongrass plants grow best in tropical and subtropical climates for proper growth. The optimum temperature range should be around 10°C to 33°C and the plant needs bright sunlight for the development of Oil content in the leaves. Lemon grass grows in any type of soil but it performs best on the well-drained Sandy soil and the clay loam soil with a pH range of 5 to 9.6. Apart from industrial fertilizers farmyard manure like cow dung and organic compost is preferred.
Lemon grass farming requires proper sunlight with a 4 – 6 irrigation cycle is needed during summer months from April to June depending upon the rain cycle of the area.
It has been observed that lower altitude and alkaline soil facilitate higher citrus content of the soil and dry loamy soil produces lemongrass with high citrus content and the variety of the lemon grass with high citrates is in great and increased demand.
Apart from commercial land farming of lemongrass the places having poor soil conditions, degraded forests, high alkalinity, hilly areas, mined and industrial wasteland can all be considered as an option for farming lemongrass. Warm and humid climate is suitable for the production of lemongrass though Frost and cold weather are not suitable for cultivating lemongrass.
USES – MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC
Lemongrass leaves are commonly used in households in tea preparation to give a refreshing touch though Lemon grass is aromatic and medicinal grass its oil is used in perfumes, soaps, detergents, cosmetics, beverages and insect repellents.
The lemon grass plant has diverse medicinal values such as antifungal, antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-asthmatic, urinary tract infections, pesticides and preservatives. Its leaves are used in the treatment of cough, headache, fever, depression, nervous disorder, skin irritations. Oil is used in the fragrance of cosmeceutical, aromatherapy and pharmaceutical industries.
PRODUCTION IN THE WORLD AND INDIA
China being number one country in exporting lemongrass oil with the share of export value of Dollar 831.3 million in 2020 followed by India with export value of Dollar 347.3 million. India is at the 2nd rank in producing aromatic products in the World after China.
Lemongrass was grown in India a century back and now it is commercially cultivated in different parts of India (Karnataka, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Maharashtra). Lemongrass is grown in 300 hectares in India and the annual production of lemongrass ranges between 300 to 350 tons per annum. India has 15000 crore fragrances and flavour Market (aromatics sector) in the world and it is the largest lemongrass producer and about 80 percent of the produce is being exported to West Europe, USA and Japan. Lemongrass grown in east India is known by its Scientific name Cymbopagan Flexuosus and in West India by Cymbopagan Citrutus. East Indian Lemongrass production has a high percentage of Citrus and now it is being cultivated in southern parts of India.
The harvesting and yield of lemongrass depends upon the soil and climatic condition of a particular area as plantations last on an average for 3 to 5 years and harvesting is done on the 90 days after planting and thereafter 60 to 65 days intervals usually 5 to 6 cuttings are done in a year subject to weather conditions. During the first year the produce of oil is 25 kg per hectare and from second year onwards 75 to 100 kg per hectare. On an average price of lemongrass oil is 1200/ kg depending upon the quality of product it also ranges from 350 to 550 per kg.
As per the publication of Center for aromatic plants (CAP), farmer technical Bulletin 0-1, 2018 production of lemongrass oil in the country is 500 metric ton per annum where is demand is 800 metric ton per annum this shows significant demand and export potential of lemongrass in a country.
Due to advanced research and development the agricultural scientist has made two types of lemongrass plant which are known as Sim Krishna and Sim Shika
| Sim Krishna | Sim Shika |
| Suitable for Western and Southern India | Suitable for Southern Indian not for Cold areas |
| Production 25 – 30 tons/ hac. per year | Production 30 – 35 tons/ hac. per year |
| Oil Production 200 – 240 kg/ hac. per year | Oil Production 280 kg/ hac. per year |
PRODUCTION AND SCOPE OF LEMONGRASS IN UTTARAKHAND
Uttarakhand being a Hilly state (10 districts with hilly regions and 3 districts with the plain regions) has a variety of soils and Agro climatic conditions ranging from subtropical to Alpine which is a mega biodiversity hotspot for a wide range of wild and cultivated aromatic species. Approx. 179 unique and high-value aromatic plants are found in the state. Major aromatic crops include lemongrass, Damaskhe Rose, Japanese Mint, Chamomile Cinnamon.
Uttarakhand got its first Geographical Indication (GI) registration in Indian Cassia (Cinnamomum Tamala) (No. 520) due to its rich cinnamaldehyde content. From 2002 to 2017 the Compound Annual Growth Rate in the Aromatic sector was 27 percent in the state.
Unique quality of essential oils is produced in the state approximately 600 ton of pure and natural essential oils which are suitable for aromatherapy and Spa industry is being produced by around 18000 train farmers. In Uttarakhand 109 Aroma Clusters are established by networking of 178 distillation units for Aroma tourism.
In Uttarakhand the cultivation of lemongrass on commercial basis is being carried out in district Dehradun (Vikasnagar, Kalsi, Sahaspur), Tehri (Manjadi), Pauri (Peeda, Kot, Jaharikhal, Khandusain, Raisera), Nainital, Almora (Deghat), Pithoragarh and Haridwar (Bhagwanpur, Narsan, Sikroda).
Government of Uttarakhand has Suggested a location in the Haridwar district in Bhagwanpur block for distillation of oil units as the project site has major connectivity such as railway, airway and roadways to major towns of the country. The produce of lemon grass oil from Uttarakhand is used by Pharmaceutical, Fragrance and Aromatherapy Industries located in Ghaziabad, Delhi, Mumbai, etc.
Uttarakhand being a hilly state has to go through with lots of natural disturbances such as landslides, snowfall, Avalanche, earthquakes and soon. Apart from all the natural disturbances Uttarakhand is rich in rivers and forests and for the soil conservation near by the rivers Lemongrass is highly suitable for sloppy lands with high erosion areas but suitable soil conservation methods must be applied before planting in high sloped lands.
Due to Huge Migration from the hilly areas of the state cultivated land is left out to be barren land for making the that land fertile again and to maintain the fertility of the soil migrating people should plant lemongrass as it requires minimal cost with huge profits and state government should encourage the people on the process.
CONCLUSION
Lemongrass is used to make oil through steam distillation of the fresh leaves which has a strong lemon like odour due to the high percentage (over 75%) of citrus in the oil. This citrus smell kind of oil is used in making use in the scenting of soaps, detergents, insect repellents, perfumery, cosmetics, beverages and manufacturing of ionone which produces vitamin – A.
2022-2023 का बजट यह वीडियो जरूर देखें 👇👇
REFERENCES
- https://www.agrifarming.in/lemongrass-farming-project-report-cost-profit guide
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271236199_A_REVIEW_ON_LEMON_GRASS_AGRICULTURAL_AND_MEDICINAL_ASPECT
- http://nhb.gov.in/lemongrass_report.aspx?&menu.Menu=30
- http://www.dea.gov.lk/lemon-grass/
- https://investuttarakhand.com/themes/backend/investible/IP%20UK%20Development%20of%20Lemon%20Grass.pdf
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