https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Lemon Grass Is The New Opium For Farmers

Lemongrass is being cultivated instead of Opium in many areas of Gaya, farmers are earning profits 2011-batch IAS officer Thiyagarajan SMpersuadedthe farmers to opt for lemongrass farming . Lemongrass is being cultivated on 200 acres of land. Over 300 acres more is in planning phase.
Indian Masterminds Stories

Bihar’s Gaya district were notorious for Naxalite activities. Opium was also being cultivated on the barren land here. But 2011-batch IAS officer Mr. Thiyagarajan SM agreed taking over as Gaya’s DM cajoled farmers to give up Opium cultivating and instead grow Lemongrass.

The farmers are earning up to Rs.1.5 lakh per acre annually. Speaking to Indian Masterminds, Mr. Thiyagarajan SM said, “In Naxal affected blocks in Gaya district, opium was cultivated on more than 600 acres of barren land where no other crops could be grown. That’s why we promoted Lemon grass cultivation, because it requires very less water. This we generated good income with less resources.”

IAS officer Thiyagarajan SM

LEMON GRASS FARMING

Horticulture Center, the nodal agency is not only given training but is also providing Lemongrass seeds free of cost.

Right now Lemongrass is being cultivated on 220 acres of land. Mr. Thiyagarajan said, “Lemongrass oil extraction is also being done at a local distillation plant. Now we are planning to cultivate it on 500 acres.”

LEMON GRASS OIL PLANT

Plants are being set up on a small scale to extract lemongrass oil. A small plant worth 10 lakh rupees is being set up on for every 5 acres land of Lemongrass cultivation. Farmers groups are being formed fire this. If 10 farmers are cultivating 5 acres of lemon grass together, they can collectively starts a plant worth 10 lakhs. For this, administration also provides them help in getting loans.

CM Nitish Kumar inspecting lemon grass products in Gaya at a exhibition

BENEFITS & FUTURE

Lemongrass has medicinal properties. It is also used in many products like Phenyl, Sanitizer and Vitamin A. Lemongrass is full of antioxidants.

Stressing upon benefits of lemon grass, Mr. Thiyagarajan said, “The tea made from it and the vitamin A extracted from it is beneficial for health. Spraying just a few drops of lemongrass oil in water can ward off insects and mosquitoes. That’s why we are planning to start small scale industries to make products from lemongrass. Work has already started for this.”


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
UP Government Uttar Pradesh Yogi
Uttar Pradesh: Yogi Govt Transfers 8 IAS Officers, Appoints Masoom Ali Sarwar as Waqf Board CEO
Y-Puran-Kumar
Haryana IPS Y Puran Kumar Suicide: IAS Wife Amneet Kumar Files Complaint Against DGP and SP Over Explosive Note
shastri-bhawan
“I Just Couldn't Take It Anymore” - The Untold Story Behind CSS Officer Deepak Khoda’s Suicide Attempt at Shastri Bhawan | Exclusive Interview
grse mou
GRSE Signs Strategic MoU to Boost Indigenous Development of Advanced Naval Navigation Systems
Mazagon_Dock_Shipbuilders_Ltd_Organizes_Diwali_Mela_
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) Hosts Diwali Mela to Boost Vigilance Awareness and Empower Rural Self-Help Groups
NALCO_MOU_
NALCO Foundation Signs MoU to Boost Skill Development and Livelihood Opportunities for Rural Youth
Concor
Dividend Alert: CONCOR to Announce Q2 FY26 Financial Results and Second Interim Dividend on November 11
ircon and coal india
Coal India Partners with IRCON to Strengthen Rail Network for Seamless Coal Transportation
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IDES Saquib Alam
UPSC Strategy & Mindset Tips from IDES Officer Saquib Alam | Video Interview 
Dr G K Goswami IPS
Everything you ever wanted to know about e-murder, e-dacoity and data safety
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Ravikant Meena on IFS Preparation, Optionals, and Life in Forest Service
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Jitendra Baghel MPPSC
7 Years, 4 Interviews, Now Dy.SP: How Jitendra Baghel Cracked MPPSC Through Relentless Struggle
Jitendra Baghel’s inspiring journey from a humble farming background to MPPSC Dy.SP showcases relentless...
IDES Saquib Alam
UPSC Strategy & Mindset Tips from IDES Officer Saquib Alam | Video Interview 
Discover how IDES officer Saquib Alam left his corporate job at Mahindra, overcame six UPSC attempts,...
Utkarsh Ujjwal IAS
IAS Utkarsh Ujjwal Shares Key Advice for UPSC Aspirants: Work Ethic, Failure, and Focus
Read the inspiring journey of IAS Utkarsh Ujjwal, 2023 batch, Gujarat cadre. From IIT Guwahati to clearing...
Social Media
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
Forest Guard Tiger Encounter
Tigers Clash in the Wild as Forest Guards Capture Rare Footage , Retired IFS Mohan Pargaien Posts Viral Video
Retired IFS officer Mohan Pargaien shares viral video of three tigers brawling in Ramnagar, as forest...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
UP Government Uttar Pradesh Yogi
Uttar Pradesh: Yogi Govt Transfers 8 IAS Officers, Appoints Masoom Ali Sarwar as Waqf Board CEO
Y-Puran-Kumar
Haryana IPS Y Puran Kumar Suicide: IAS Wife Amneet Kumar Files Complaint Against DGP and SP Over Explosive Note
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IDES Saquib Alam
Dr G K Goswami IPS
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT