GS Paper-III
News Excerpt:
In Odisha tribal communities have found a viable and sustainable alternative to traditional rain-fed agriculture. High-value aromatic crops and floriculture have recently emerged as a means to supplement their livelihood.
About the news:
- With the help of the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) in Lucknow, two districts in Odisha have recently introduced different aromatic plants such as menthol mint (the CIM-Unnati variety), rosemary (Hariyali variety), etc.
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The Success Story of the project:
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Aromatic plants:
- Aromatic plants are those that contain aromatic compounds – basically, essential oils that are volatile at room temperature.
- These essential oils are odorous, volatile, hydrophobic and highly concentrated compounds.
- They can be obtained from flowers, buds, seeds, leaves, twigs, bark, wood, fruits and roots.
Significance of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs):
- Since ancient times, these substances have been utilised in healthcare systems for disease treatment, therapeutic, fragrance, and flavouring products in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
- They occupy an important position in the socio-cultural, health care, and spiritual arenas of people of India.
- Empowering rural women: MAP-based livelihoods can be easily mainstreamed with other components to enhance human welfare, especially among farm women.
- These are sources of natural dye, fat, essential oil, bio-pesticide, resin, protein, vitamin, condiment, spice, timber, and fiber.
- Homestead cultivation; Easy to establish; Minimum care; Short duration; Multipurpose; Income generation; Employment generation; Post harvesting and value addition
Issues related with MAPs in India:
- Lack of awareness about the utility and value of medicinal plants
- Availability of seeds/planting materials
- Different types of hazards - Health security; Poverty; Food security
- Lack of technological awareness and exposure
- Marketing
- Environmental Concerns
Way Forward:
- India has favourable agro-climate conditions for the cultivation of various medicinal and aromatic crops. These have an immense potential for providing livelihood support to marginal and small farmers in general and to farm women in particular.
- MAPs will be helpful for the health security and for the economic security of farm families in the field of horticulture.
