Lemongrass, mint spread scent of change in Odisha

Subject: Economy

Section: Capital Market

Context:

High-value aromatic crops and floriculture have recently emerged as a means to supplement the livelihood of Odisha’s tribal communities.

Details:

With the help of the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) in Lucknow, the district of Odisha has recently introduced different aromatic plants such as menthol mint (the CIM-Unnati variety), rosemary (Hariyali variety), patchouli (CIM-Samarth), damask roses (Ranisahiba), chamomile, and geraniums (CIM-Bharat).

Higher value:

Tribal farmers in Nabarangpur, Odisha, are transitioning to high-value crops like lemongrass and aromatic plants, encouraged by successful experiments with strawberries and lemongrass.
Lemongrass, mentha, vetiver, and citronella are now cultivated across 300 acres, with the installation of distillation units for processing lemongrass oil.

Huge demand:

Aromatic plants are in high demand due to fewer regulatory challenges compared to medicinal crops, offering farmers promising returns with minimal effort.
In Odisha, the CSIR-Aroma Mission has reached 26 districts, establishing 46 clusters and planting nearly 850 hectares with aromatic crops.
The successful introduction, notably lemongrass began on a small scale but quickly gained market traction, selling out its distilled oil instantly.

Lemon grass:

Cymbopogon, also known as lemongrass, barbed wire grass, silky heads, oily heads, Cochin grass, Malabar grass, citronella grass or fever grass, is a genus of Asian, African, Australian, and tropical island plants in the grass family.
Some species (particularly Cymbopogon citratus) are commonly cultivated as culinary and medicinal herbs because of their scent, resembling that of lemons (Citrus limon).
Lemongrass and its oil are believed to possess therapeutic properties.

Repel elephants:

Aromatic plants like lemongrass, citronella, and vetiver have served as effective deterrents against wild elephants in Angul district, causing them to vomit upon consumption.
This success led to the expansion of aromatic plantations to over 150 acres in Angul and Dhenkanal districts within two years.
Cultivating aromatics on uncultivable lands is preferred to avoid interference with paddy fields while providing additional income to farmers.

Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance (BOGA):

It is an international alliance of governments and stakeholders working together to facilitate the managed phase-out of oil and gas production.
Led by the governments of Denmark and Costa Rica, the alliance aims to elevate the issue of oil and gas production phase-out in international climate dialogues, mobilize action and commitments, and create an international community of practice on this issue.

Members:

Denmark, Costa Rica, France, Greenland, Ireland, The Marshall Islands, Portugal, Quebec, Sweden, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wales, Washington state.
Associate members: California and New Zealand.

BOGA Declaration:

The BOGA Declaration is a shared commitment between national governments, subnational governments, and other actors to work to limit oil and gas production and extraction and plan for a just, equitable, and managed phase out of existing oil and gas production.
By signing, actors indicate their support for BOGA’s goals and theories of change.
All actors who wish to become a member of BOGA at any level must sign, with additional steps required for those who wish to become Core or Associate members.

Source: BOGA