Lac, a natural polymer (resin) is
produced by a tiny insect, Kerria lacca
(Kerr), which is purposely cultured on
shoots of several species of trees,
mainly Palas, Kusum and Ber. This
agricultural...
Lac, a natural polymer (resin) is
produced by a tiny insect, Kerria lacca
(Kerr), which is purposely cultured on
shoots of several species of trees,
mainly Palas, Kusum and Ber. This
agricultural profession of Lac
cultivation is a subsidiary source of
income of 125 household of
Nangalboard forest area. The income from Lac cultivation is about 40% of their total
agricultural income. And most of the Lac growing families are among the poorest of the
poor in the area. Further, it has also been found that more than half of the total lac-host
trees are still lying un-exploited for lac cultivation in the area. The lac farmers are
cultivating in traditional method and they are not trained on scientific method of
cultivation. They are marketing their raw products in their local market without value
addition. As a result, the income from lac cultivation is very low. Kusumi lac plants are
available in each of the families which are lying unutilized. The organization organized 5
numbers of training on kusumi lac cultivation and simialata lac cultivation, harvesting,
brood lac collection, use of pesticide, value addition and marketing of lac for 150 selected
farmers of the area. The organization is providing regular marketing support for marketing
of raw lac. During the reporting year, they sold the raw lac in Rs 300/- per kg to traders of
Chhattisgarh. 13 days Micro Enterprise Development Programme on Lac Cultivation and
Marketing programme was organized in Ghatmal of Sinapali Block for 30 women lac
farmers.
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