Daijiworld Media Network – Koppal (MS)
Koppal, Mar 10: Lemongrass, which used to be cultivated in island nations, is now grown in the district also. A lemongrass oil unit has also started functioning here. The farmers who grow lemongrass say that this crop is a boon for them as the cost of cultivation is very less and returns are very high.
Ramesh Tuppada and Laximkant Gudi are cultivating lemongrass over an area of 12 acres near Kutuganahalli of the taluk for the past four years.
The scientific name of lemongrass is Cymbopogon citratus. It is called by different names is different regions. Animals and cattle do not eat this grass as it has lime content in it.
Oil is also extracted from lemongrass. The oil thus extracted is used in the production of medicines, cosmetics, perfumes and food products. If the lemongrass is sown once, the farmers can reap the crop till five years. The cost of cultivating one acre of lemongrass is around Rs 40, 000.
In the beginning, more water is required. However, once the plant grows if it is watered once a week it is more than enough. The lemongrass which grows to a good height, increases its shoots as it is cut.
Three to four tonnes of lemongrass can be harvested per acre, every day, for three months. Eight liters of oil can be extracted from one tonne of grass. The lemongrass oil is sold at a price of Rs 1600 per liter. This means that every acre of lemongrass earns Rs 12, 800 income for the grower. Excepting the initial cost and labour charges, there is no other cost in this crop. In addition, disease never affects lemongrass.
As the requirement of manure is very less, farmers will get an income of at least Rs 10, 000 for three months. Now Ramesh and Laxmikant have started their own oil mill. They have invested around Rs 8 lac for the oil mill.
The oil mill has a capacity to extract oil grown over an area of 50 acres of land. As they have limited land, they have taken another land on a contract basis and cultivate lemongrass. Both Ramesh and Laxmikant are educated farmers. That is why they showed inclination towards new model of crop than traditional ones.