Utkal Alumina shows lemon grass farming can be a profitable business

Surjit Kumar Dhal, BHUBANESWAR, AUG 17: Aditya Birla Group Company Utkal Alumina which has always been at the forefront of enriching the livelihoods of the people in villages close to its Plant, was recently engaged in the promotion of lemon grass cultivation in Andirakanch village in Rayagada District.

Twelve farmers of Andirakanch Village are now cultivating lemon grass in 20 acres of land. In the initial phase, the farmers were offered a crash course by Utkal Alumina on the cultivation practices and future prospects of this crop. They were taken on an exposure visit to the lemon grass field of Bandhugaon of Narayanpatna Block in Koraput district, which is famous for lemon grass cultivation.

As part of the demonstration, support for lemon grass slips, fertiliser and pesticides, agriculture tools, irrigation facility and boundary materials were provided by Utkal Alumina. Additionally, the technical experts did much of the hand-holding. Furthermore, the CSR officials and village supervisors worked with the farmers during the entire process. The Odisha Agro Industries Corporation was roped in for setting up of micro lift irrigation infrastructure under the Jalanidhi-II scheme.

Speaking about the initiative, Unit Head of Utkal Alumina International Ltd (UAIL) N Nagesh said, “Our basic objective is to provide an alternative and attractive source of income to the local farmers by extracting oil from cultivated lemon grass. We want to popularise this non-traditional cash crop to improve their socio-economic status.” Lemon grass is a tropical herb with a strong citrus flavour. The oil extracted from it through distillation of leaves has a high commercial value, he added.

Now, the farmers have already harvested the first crop and extracted oil. It is being planned to set up a lemon grass oil extraction unit in the locality. A plan to expand farming of the crop to another 100 acres of land this year is on the anvil, said UAIL sources adding that these endeavours would give a lift to the income of the farmers and offer them a better quality of life.