Awa-phadigom (Eryngium foetidum L.) : Scope for a flourishing agri-business

MS Khaidem *

Awa-phadigom (Eryngium foetidum L.)

It has become a universal truth that, high value crop diversification is the only 'Mantra' for alleviating rural poverty. The concept has become an increasingly important factor in adopting strategies for increasing farm income by supporting poor small and marginal land holding farmers who are moving from subsistence agriculture to marketoriented, high-value short duration commercial crops with minimum competitors. Therefore, under the present context of the State of Manipur, Awa-phadigom is one that can be promoted and popularized for increasing rural farm income in both small and marginal land holders as a flourishing agri-enterprise.

It may be surprising to note by the present young generation that Eryngium foetidum L. Spiny coriander, locally known as Awa-phadigom emerged in the Ema market only during early eighties. This is a slender, evergreen, branched perennial with fibrous roots and lanceolate leaves 4-6 inches long, which have spiny-toothed margins.

Numerous, greenwhite flowers with leafy bracts appearing in summer. This is a herb that was never cultivated till late nineties but was collected from wild and used as spice in different soups, curries, salads and meat dishes because of its sweet aromatic Flavour and as a good appetizer. Moreover, it is extensively used in perfumery and cosmetic industries.

With the changing food habit and understanding the nutritional and medicinal value of this wild grown herb, demand is gradually increasing day by day. Now it has become one of the fast flourishing Cash Crop. The present retail cost is to the tune of Rs.5.00 per bundle of 3-4 plants depending on the size that too with limited stock.

But for continued harvest during the year the plants should not be uprooted, instead the leaves should be cut at the soil line with a sharp blade and wrapped at the bottom end with available fresh leaves of turmeric/ginger/banana leaves to increase the shelf life to 4-5 days.

Although, few Research Scholars have developed the protocol for in vitro regeneration and studied the nutritional and medicinal value of the plant, not a single Agricultural University in India have neither developed package and practices for cultivation of this Spice nor included in the syllabus for award of Agriculture/Horticulture degree course; however it is observed that this spice prefers damp, partial shade, heavy soil having pH 4.3-6.8.

The plant can be easily propagated by seed sown in spring or by root cuttings during monsoon. Seedlings will be ready to transplant in the field around 20-25 days after seedling emergence. The seedling is easy to transplant because its root system can withstand wide range of temperature and handling. It is also noticed that, for maximum yield the optimum plant to plant and row to row spacing is 6 inches.

The plant height, leaf length, number of leaves per plant and fresh weight per plant is also significantly higher under the canopies of various trees than those grown under direct sun light. Therefore, mix cropping/intercropping with other perennial / seasonal crops can also generate extra income. Under the above assumption a farmer or an agripreneur having an area of 100 ft. length x 50 ft. wide in the homestead as kitchen garden can lay out 12 beds of 3 ft wide (after reserving 10% of the total area for convenient field layout) which can accommodate plant population of around 18000 that could fetch minimum of Rs. 15,000 approx. per harvest at the Farm gate rate. The crop can be harvested at least 7 times in a year.

After deducting the cost of land preparation, transplantation of seedlings, weeding and leaf picking / cutting etc say 35 mandays (approx) @ Rs.250/- amounting to Rs.8750; there is an easy income of Rs.96,250/- per year out of 100 ft X 50 ft area of land.

Nutritional and Medicinal value: The Spice is reportedly found to be rich in calcium, iron, carotene, and riboflavin. It is also interesting to note that Eryngium Foetidum is used extensively for medicinal purposes to combat fevers, stimulate appetite, improve digestion, combat colic and stomach pains, and as an aphrodisiac. The herb can also be eaten raw to relieve the inflammation. The fresh leaves when boiled and taken as tea serves as an antidote for flu, diabetes, constipation, and fevers.

Market potentials: Random sample survey conducted in the Ema Market, Lamlong Market, Lamphel Market and Singjamei Market revealed that arrivals of stock is based on maximum wild collection with very few commercial growers, as such available stock in the markets cannot commensurate the daily demand of the consumers. Because of this, till today there have never been any unsold or leftover stock in all the local markets although there were slight variations in quality and packing sizes.

Surprisingly most of the stocks have been pre-booked by middlemen. As and when there is surplus production it can be further value added by converting into smallvolume high value after distillation of essential oil either for sale to Cosmetic & Perfumery Industries and Pharmaceutical Companies for formulation of drugs or else can be used locally as flavor adaptive with a dropper during the off season.

After having discussed with the Officer in-charge of the North East Institute of Science and Technologies (NEIST), Jorhat Sub-Station, Lamphelpat, Imphal; it is confirmed that NEIST, Jorhat under the Council of Science and Industrial Research (CSIR), Govt.of India, has already developed a new technology for formulation of a drug for treatment of arthritis and skin disease in which essential oil of Awa-phadigom is one of the main component.

It is never late; we can make a beginning to start a flourishing agri-business by exploiting the rich potentials of this well adapted indigenous herb.