Farmers urged to cultivate Lac to enhance income
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 16 2024: Prof Indira Sarangthem, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Central Agricultural University (CAU), has encouraged farmers to cultivate lac resin by planting hibiscus, one of the most suitable host plants, to boost their income.

She made the call during observance of 3rd National Lac Insect Day at the conference hall of the college on Thursday.

The observance was organised under the theme 'Popularisation of Lac Cultivation,' jointly by ICAR National Institute of Secondary Agriculture, Namkum Ranchi (Jharkhand), and ICAR-Network Project on Conservation of Lac Insect Genetic Resources (NPCLIGR), Department of Entomology, College of-Agriculture, CAU.

In her address as the chief guest, Prof Indira emphasised the potential of lac farming in enhancing farmers' incomes while pointing out that observance of National Lac Insect Day began in 2022 in Namkum, which records highest production of lac in the country since 1924 .

In Manipur, the lac farming initiative started in 2014 in a half hectare land in Lamsang.

Traditionally in Manipur, knowledge regarding use of lac was limited to making seals, but broader applications have since been recognised, leading to the cultivation of the resin producing insect with host plants like Hibiscus (Jubakusum) and Red Scarlet Sage (Moroklei), she elaborated.

While informing that farmers may foray into lac cultivation with zero budget, she stressed the importance of making the farmers aware on the same across the state.

The professor explained that by providing five lac eggs to each farmer, they could harvest 1 kg of lac from a single plant within four months.

The harvested product would be sent to ICAR, Namkum for processing into various products, the dean maintained and encouraged farmers to consider lac farming as a viable income-enhancing activity.

Prof Dr KI Singh, principal investigator at ICAR (NP-CLIGR), COA, CAU Imphal, who presided over the event, elaborated on the benefits of lac farming.

He pointed out that lac is one of three industrial insects, and its farming requires no financial investment since the government supplies the lac eggs to farmers.

Hibiscus and Red Scarlet Sage are identified as the most suitable host plants for lac insects.

By attaching the eggs to these plants, farmers can have yield between 200 to 500 insects from five eggs, with 70 per cent of them being female, which produce the resin.

Lac has diverse uses, including in fabric dyeing, toy making, spectacle frames, seals, make-up items, and bangles.

He urged farmers to adopt lac cultivation to diversify and increase their income streams.

He also pointed out that many lac insects perish due to deforestation in the state, underscoring the need for greater awareness about the benefits of lac farming.

He maintained that promoting lac cultivation among hill farmers could offer an alternative to illegal poppy cultivation, which negatively impacts the environment and climate.

The observance, which also had an interaction programme between farmers and experts, was attended by Prof Dr L Nabachandra of agronomy department and Prof Dr U Chao-ba of horticulture department of the College of Agriculture, CAU Imphal, as guests of honour.

The initiative primarily targeted farmers from Kamjong district, aiming to educate them on the economic and environmental benefits of lac farming.

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