The Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Ernakulam, under the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), has commissioned a 500 kg batch capacity lemongrass distillation unit at Vavely, Kottappady in Ernakulam district, according to a report by The Hindu BusinessLine. The facility is part of an initiative to promote elephant-compatible farming systems by introducing aromatic crops that are unpalatable to elephants, offering a sustainable livelihood option for farmers living along forest fringe areas.
Supply-Side Developments and Technical Specifications
The distillation unit was set up in association with the CSIR–Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) under the Aroma Mission, with financial support from the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The initiative represents the culmination of scientific interventions by KVK over the past three years, completing the value chain from cultivation to processing.
Demonstration plots established by KVK recorded a yield of 7.5 tonnes of fresh herbage per acre per year, with an average oil recovery of 0.80 per cent. The oil obtained is of high quality, recording a citral content of 80 per cent, in conformity with the performance reported for the CIMAP-developed 'Krishna' variety under comparable agro-climatic conditions.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Batch capacity | 500 kg |
| Fresh herbage yield | 7.5 tonnes/acre/year |
| Oil recovery | 0.80% |
| Citral content | 80% |
| Variety used | 'Krishna' (CIMAP-developed) |
Demand-Side Integration and Value-Added Products
KVK has been working to develop a complete entrepreneurship model around lemongrass. Besides facilitating the branded marketing of pure lemongrass essential oil, KVK has sourced technology from CIMAP to manufacture value-added products including mosquito repellent spray, herbal floor cleaner, and microbial disinfectant using lemongrass oil, said Shinoj Subramannian, Principal Scientist and Head of KVK.
The SHG would be imparted training in the production, branding and marketing of these products to improve profitability and ensure the long-term sustainability of the enterprise.
Lemongrass cultivation is being promoted in areas where farmers are reluctant to raise conventional crops due to recurring elephant raids. Since elephants generally avoid lemongrass, the crop offers a practical and economically viable alternative. P. Karthick, Divisional Forest Officer, Malayattoor Forest Division, welcomed the initiative, noting that the Forest Department plans to procure lemongrass oil from the 'Chembakamithra' Self-Help Group (SHG) for marketing under the Vanashree brand. Such initiatives provide livelihood opportunities to forest-fringe communities while encouraging cultivation systems that minimize human-elephant conflict.
Expansion Plans and Outlook
KVK also plans to expand lemongrass cultivation across suitable forest fringe areas by supplying quality planting material, providing technical guidance, organizing farmer training programmes, and extending mechanized harvesting support. This integrated approach — from planting to processing and marketing — is expected to strengthen the local supply chain for lemongrass essential oil and its derivatives, with potential implications for the broader aromatic commodities market.
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