National Lac Insect Day observed
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 18 2022:
ICAR Network Project on Conservation of Lac Insect Genetic Resources, Indian Institute of Natural Resins and Gums (IINRG), Namkum, Ranchi, in collaboration with Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal Directorate of Resource observed the 1st National Lac Insect Day at CAU College of Agriculture conference hall, Iroisemba on Wednesday.
The programme was attended by CAU director of resource Prof S Basanta, director of extension education Prof Ph Ranjit Sharma and registrar Prof K Memocha as chief guest, guest of honour and president respectively.
Speaking on the occasion, Project's principal investigator Prof Kh Ibohal informed that the project on lac insect aims to reintroduce the usage of lac historically used as natural plastic which is derived from lac insects and to generate income for the farmers through it.
Wednesday's event is the first national level programme in this regard.
Numerous farmers have been trained in connection to the lac insect under the project which started from 2014 and has been taken up in various states of North East.
So far, the insect has not been found in Tripura but plans are on for conducting a re-survey and investigate presence of the insect in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, he informed.
Prof Kh Ibohal continued that the lac which is resinous secretions of lac insects are used to manufacture spectacle frames, cosmetics, polishes, medicines, bangles, tea strainers, natural dyes, etc.
In case of Manipur, the insects are prevalently found in 'Morok Lei'/potato vine (Solanum Solanum laxum Spreng), in Nagaland it is common in litchi and in Meghalaya it occurs in banyan tree, he also mentioned.
Prof Ibohal further con veyed that several farmers have been trained in the state and production of by-products of lac insect has also begun.
But still, as the production is low the demand for lac has not yet been able to be met.
Even if large-scale production starts there will be no issue in marketing the products, he assured.