Lac insects can boost rural economy: Dr Nabachandra
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 17 2025: While breeding lac insects has the potential to immensely enhance the rural economy, the capital investment required for breeding this insect is relatively low, Central Agricultural University (CAU) Agronomy Department Professor Dr L Nabachandra has observed.

The 4th National Lac Insect Day was organised on the theme 'Popularisation of Lac Cultivation' by CoA, Iroisemba, CAU under the aegis of All India Network Project (AINP) on Conservation of Lac Insect Genetic Resources, at the virtual classroom of the College in Iroisemba on Friday.

In his speech as the chief guest, Prof Dr Nabachandra said that lac insect (cha tin) has existed since the Vedic Ages.

The lac produced by this insect can be used to produce a variety of products such as toys, make-up items, bangles, shoe polish and cloth dye.

Its importance is growing every day in view of the harmful effects of plastic in the environment, he remarked, while noting that India is the largest producer of lac in the world.

Encouraging state farmers to engage in lac cultivation, he said that lac farming is among the most popular and profitable farming options after bee and silk farming, and can be pursued as a secondary farming option.

Delivering the keynote speech, AINP-CLIGR, Department of Entomology COA, Prof and principal investigator Dr KI Singh said that the benefits of lac cultivation was temporarily disrupted due to deforestation and other activities including use of pesticides, which has led to a drop in the population of lac insects.

In India, Jharkhand tops in production of lac.

Realising the importance of breeding lac insect, the project was introduced in the northeast in 2014.In Manipur's context, there are 12 lac insect cultivation centres including four in the hill districts.

On top of this, a proposal has been made for providing a lac processing machine, which would allow the lac to be processed in the state.

Cultivating lac insects can provide additional income to farmers, he said, and urged all farmers to focus on the same.

Presided over by CoA Entomology Department Prof Dr K Mamocha, the programme was attended by CoA project co-principal investigator Dr P Bhumita as guest of honour.

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