https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

It’s the Season of Lac in Jharkhand, Bringing Joy to Farmers

IFS officer Sanjeev Kumar is empowering Jharkhand farmers through lac cultivation, providing livelihood and additional income opportunities Training programmes are conducted regularly, enabling the formation of self-help groups, including women groups The success of lac cultivation in the state exemplifies the transformative power of empowering local communities while promoting sustainable practices
Indian Masterminds Stories

It’s lac time in Jharkhand! The state currently produces 9,000 metric tons annually. All because one officer recognised its immense potential and explored various possibilities for its commercial growth, empowering the farmers in the process.

He is Indian Forest Service officer Sanjeev Kumar, who is the Additional Chief Conservator of Forest, CAMPA, and CEO of Sidho Kanho Agriculture and Forest Produce State Federation in Jharkhand. Anticipating further success, he has embarked on a mission to provide more livelihood opportunities to the farmers of the state through extensive lac cultivation.

For the unversed, ‘lac’ is a resinous protective secretion of the tiny insect, Kerria Lacca. It is not only a significant agricultural produce in Jharkhand but also a major source of income for tribal communities, with approximately 29.61 percent of the state’s forest area yielding various Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs), including lac.

HOW IT STARTED

Mr. Kumar’s dedication to addressing the issue of farmers resorting to cutting trees for firewood due to lack of alternative employment options, led him to explore lac cultivation as a viable solution. “Recognizing the abundance of lac host trees in Jharkhand’s forests, I formed a group and provided training to individuals interested in lac cultivation,” he told Indian Masterminds. The state, known for its rich reserve of minor forest produce such as lac, silk, mahua, and chironjee, presented an ideal opportunity for this initiative.

TRAINING PROGRAMMES

Taking advantage of the post-paddy season, when farmers have spare time, lac cultivation emerged as a valuable source of additional income. Training programmes were conducted in collaboration with the Lac Research Institute and the Institute of Forest Productivity, with scientists from both the institutions actively engaging with the people of Gumla. The success of this endeavour prompted him to replicate this initiative in Dhanbad too, where he facilitated the formation of self-help groups and emphasized women’s empowerment through their involvement in various lac-related activities, including bangle-making.

BEYOND ECONOMIC BENEFITS

The impact of this initiative extends beyond economic benefits. By providing a means of peaceful income generation, many individuals in the region were dissuaded from turning to Naxalism, thus contributing to the overall security and stability of the area. “My efforts were acknowledged through two awards that I received during my tenure as DFO in Dhanbad, granted by the Lac Research Institute and the University of Praygraj, respectively, for engaging over 5,000 people in lac cultivation,” Mr. Kumar mentioned.

JAMSHEDPUR TO RANCHI

Following his transfer to Jamshedpur, an industrial town in Jharkhand, Mr. Kumar continued his work, witnessing the enthusiastic participation of thousands of individuals in lac cultivation. Now stationed in Ranchi, the capital city, he aims to expand this initiative state-wide, envisioning self-help groups and village-level training in all districts, along with specialized training at the Lac Research Institute in Ranchi, and value addition training.

COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING

The training programmes cover essential aspects of lac cultivation, such as the evacuation of lac, proper timing for insecticide application, and the production of bangles and other decorative items. The impact of these efforts is evident as lac cultivation has witnessed remarkable growth, with Jharkhand currently producing 9,000 metric tons annually. The officer believes that with continued support, the state has the potential to achieve a production level of 16-17,000 metric tons.

PROTECTING BIODIVERSITY & CLIMATE

The significance of lac cultivation extends beyond its economic benefits. As a minor forest produce, it fosters a sense of connection to the forest, encouraging sustainable practices and the protection of biodiversity. “Lac host trees require a conducive ecosystem, leading to the growth of other trees and an overall increase in biodiversity” the officer added.

TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT

The success of lac cultivation in Jharkhand exemplifies the transformative power of empowering local communities while promoting sustainable practices. IFS officer Sanjeev Kumar’s dedication and vision have not only improved the livelihoods of farmers but also contributed to the preservation of forests and the overall well-being of the region. With the ongoing efforts and collaboration, Jharkhand has the potential to become a leading producer of lac, further boosting rural economies and environmental conservation.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Odisha Government
Odisha Elevates Two Promising IFS Officers to Senior Time Scale, Strengthening Forest Leadership - Know More About Them
Yogi Adityanath UP
Uttar Pradesh Floods: CM Yogi Adityanath Forms ‘Team-11’ for Swift and Transparent Flood Relief Across 12 Districts
DGR Job Fair
DGR Job Fair 2025 Held in Delhi to Empower Ex-Servicemen with Career Opportunities in Emerging Tech - Details Inside
omc
Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) Begins Dispatch from Dubna Mines, Strengthening Supply Chain and Industrial Growth
NFDC
NFDC Launches Free Residential 3D Animation & VFX Training for North East Youth - Here's All You Need To Know
CM Yogi
CM Yogi Adityanath Reviews Rs. 42,891 Crore Development Proposals for Lucknow Division, Emphasizes Timely, Inclusive Execution
Mahanadi River
Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai Assures Odisha of Consideration on an Amicable Solution to Mahanadi Water Dispute
MP News
Madhya Pradesh CM Dr. Mohan Yadav Pays Tribute to Pt. Ravishankar Shukla on His Birth Anniversary
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Karn Satyarthi
How IAS Karn Satyarthi Transformed Gumla Through Empathy and Innovation
Ananth Rupanagudi IRAS
IRAS Ananth Rupanagudi’s Take on Corruption, Reform, and Duty
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-26 at 13.16
What Most Indians Don't Know About Jim Corbett
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
BPSC Bihar police
From Lantern Light to Police Uniform: How Praveen Kumar from a Small Bihar Village Cracked BPSC to Become SDPO
From a lantern-lit village in Bihar to becoming an SDPO, Praveen Kumar's journey is a testament to resilience,...
IAS Priyansha Garg
Why Mindset Matters: IAS Priyansha Garg’s Mental Health Mantra for UPSC
After two failed prelims, Priyansha Garg cracked UPSC with AIR 31 in her fourth attempt, proving how...
Ashish Akshat
From Setback to State Topper: How Ashish Akshat Topped JPSC While Working Full-Time
Ashish Akshat from Dhanbad topped JPSC 2023, proving that resilience, discipline, and family support...
Social Media
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve: From India’s First Sanctuary to a Tiger Conservation Success Story | International Tiger Day Special
IAS Supriya Sahu Hails Mudumalai's Role in Tiger Conservation on Tiger Day. Declared in 1940, Now Among...
Mangroves
Mangroves: Nature’s Shield Against Disasters, Says Officer Parveen Kaswan on Mangroves Day - Watch His Post Here
Mangroves, with their dense, interlaced root systems, form a mesh-like structure that serves as a buffer...
Retired IPS Inderjit Singh Sidhu
Purpose Doesn’t Retire: How 88-Year-Old Retired DIG Becomes Chandigarh’s ‘Quiet Warrior’ of Cleanliness
Inderjit Singh Sidhu’s Dawn Patrol Earns Applause, Mahindra’s Praise for a Man Who Chose Action Over...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Odisha Government
Odisha Elevates Two Promising IFS Officers to Senior Time Scale, Strengthening Forest Leadership - Know More About Them
Yogi Adityanath UP
Uttar Pradesh Floods: CM Yogi Adityanath Forms ‘Team-11’ for Swift and Transparent Flood Relief Across 12 Districts
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Karn Satyarthi
Ananth Rupanagudi IRAS
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-26 at 13.16
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT