The Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ernakulam under the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has commissioned a 500 kg batch capacity lemongrass distillation unit at Vavely, Kottappady in the district.

Aimed at promoting elephant-compatible farming systems, the facility is part of KVK’s ongoing efforts to introduce elephant-unpalatable aromatic crops as a sustainable livelihood option for farmers living along the forest fringe areas.

The initiative is an output of a series of scientific interventions initiated by the KVK over the past three years. The newly commissioned distillation unit completes the value chain by enabling local processing and value addition.

The unit was set up in association with the CSIR–Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) under the Aroma Mission with support from the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

KVK has been working to develop a complete entrepreneurship model around lemongrass. Besides facilitating the branded marketing of pure lemongrass essential oil, the KVK has sourced technology from CIMAP to manufacture value-added products such as mosquito repellent spray, herbal floor cleaner and microbial disinfectant using lemongrass oil”, said Shinoj Subramannian, Principal Scientist and Head of KVK.

The SHG would be imparted training in the production, branding and marketing of these products to improve profitability and ensure the long-term sustainability of the enterprise, he said.

Lemongrass cultivation is being promoted in areas where farmers are reluctant to raise conventional crops due to recurring elephant raids. As elephants generally avoid lemongrass, the crop offers a practical and economically viable alternative for cultivation in forest-fringe areas.

P. Karthick, Divisional Forest Officer, Malayattoor Forest Division, welcomed the initiative saying that the Forest Department is planning to procure lemongrass oil from the ‘Chembakamithra’ SHG for marketing under the Vanashree brand. Such initiatives provide livelihood opportunities to forest-fringe communities while encouraging cultivation systems that minimize human-elephant conflict.

The demonstration plots established by the KVK recorded a yield of 7.5 tonnes of fresh herbage per acre per year, with an average oil recovery of 0.80 per cent, which is in conformity with the performance reported for the CIMAP-developed ‘Krishna’ variety under comparable agro-climatic conditions. The oil obtained was of high quality recording a citral content of 80 per cent.

KVK also plans to expand lemongrass cultivation across suitable forest fringe areas by supplying quality planting material, providing technical guidance, organizing farmer training programmes, and extending mechanized harvesting support.

Published on July 9, 2026