https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

From Sugarcane to Lemongrass: A Transformative Journey for Farmers in Baghpat District

How the transition from sugarcane to lemongrass cultivation in Baghpat district has boosted farmers' incomes and fostered community involvement and support? Read the article 
Indian Masterminds Stories

In the village of Basauli, located in Baghpat district, Rishipal’s 2-hectare sugarcane farm faced numerous challenges, reflecting the struggles of many local farmers. Dependent on sugarcane cultivation, these farmers grappled with high water usage, environmental concerns, and fluctuating market rates. The tide began to turn with the intervention of the Bioenergy Board and the Department of Agriculture, which introduced a novel alternative: lemongrass cultivation.

The Turning Point

The shift was catalyzed by a small seminar organized by the Bioenergy Board and the Department of Agriculture. What started as a modest gathering soon blossomed into a larger movement, inspiring around 750 farmers to form a union dedicated to lemongrass farming. This union received technical training and a full economic grant from the BioEnergy Board, which helped ease the transition from sugarcane to lemongrass. Speaking with Indian Masterminds, Dr. Arun Kumar, District Horticulture Officer, shared about the project and its challenges in detail. 

Why Lemongrass?

Several factors motivated the farmers to embrace lemongrass cultivation. Unlike sugarcane, lemongrass requires significantly less water and minimal cultural practices, reducing both the environmental impact and labor costs. The crop is resilient to natural risks and free from threats posed by wild animals. Moreover, the market for lemongrass oil is robust, with prices reaching around Rs 1,000 per liter, making it a highly lucrative option.

Financially, the benefits were clear. “While sugarcane farming barely broke even, often resulting in net profits of just Rs 50,000 per acre, lemongrass offered net profits of Rs 1.5 to 2 lakh per acre annually,” Dr. Arun shared. This stark contrast provided a compelling reason for farmers to pivot towards lemongrass.

Implementation and Impact

Training played a crucial role in this transition. Although no extensive campaigns were initially launched, departmental guidance and peer support proved sufficient for farmers to adopt lemongrass cultivation. This shift had profound social and economic impacts:

Increased Income: Farmers experienced a significant boost in their earnings, with income increasing by Rs 2.5 to 3.0 lakh per hectare.

Community Involvement: The formation of a union fostered mutual support and collaboration among farmers.

Economic Growth: The area under lemongrass cultivation expanded to 10 hectares, benefiting 750 farmers.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite these successes, challenges remain. The primary issue is the shortage of distillation units necessary for extracting lemongrass oil. Currently, only a few units exist, often owned by wealthier farmers who can afford the investment. Many smaller farmers are unable to finance their distillation units, which cost around Rs 3 to 4 lakh each. 

Furthermore, while lemongrass oil prices were high initially, they have seen some decline, affecting profitability. Farmers also face marketing challenges, needing better access to buyers and more consistent market rates.

The journey wasn’t without its challenges, but the success highlighted the potential of lemongrass as a viable alternative. As the farming community continues to adapt and innovate, the lessons learned from Bhagpat will undoubtedly inspire further agricultural transformations across the region.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
babita-kaler iAS
Gunfire Over Land Dispute: FIR Registered Against IAS Babita Kaler & Husband Following PSO’s Shooting in Jalandhar - Full Details Inside
Indian Police Services IPS Officer
Champaran to Get 6 SPs: Bihar Govt Approves New IPS Posts to Ease Police Workload - Details Inside
IAS IPS
Marriage Brings Top Bureaucrats to Rajasthan: 6 IAS-IPS Officers, Including 4 Women, Shift Cadres in 5 Months - Full Details Inside
IFS Dhananjay Mohan
Uttarakhand’s Top Forest Officer IFS Dhananjay Mohan Takes Sudden VRS Amid Sapling Procurement Row; Samir Sinha Gets Addl Charg
IFS Kshitij Saxena
Who Is IFS Kshitij Saxena, Appointed as the New DFO (Territorial) of Gangtok, Sikkim?
CM Vishnu Deo Sai - resized
Chhattisgarh: CM Vishnu Deo Sai Launches Chief Minister Bus Service Scheme; Push for Connectivity and Development in Bastar and Surguja
CM Pushkar Dhami-resized
Uttarakhand: CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Unveils First Yoga Policy; Bhararisain to Emerge as Global Yoga Capital
IPS Laxmi Singh
UP: IPS Laxmi Singh, Commissioner of Gautam Budh Nagar Police, Cracks Down on Laxity, Suspends Officers over Crime Control Failures
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Inderjit Singh Interview Plane Crash
What ill-fated pilots of AI171 may have gone through in those 40 seconds before the crash? Intro:
IRAS Ananth Rupanagudi
IRAS Ananth Rupanagudi’s 27-Year Odyssey with Indian Railways | Exclusive Interview
Monika Singh
The Civil Servant Who Finds Peace in Poetry
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Raju Wagh
When the Battlefield Became a Study Room and a Dream Took Flight
Amid IED blasts and anti-Maoist operations in Bastar, CRPF Commando Raju Wagh taught village kids, studied...
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-18 at 10.31
"I Just Wanted to Breathe Again": The Man Who Fought Death and Made It to UPSC
Struck by COVID at the peak of his UPSC prep, Devanand Telgote spent months on ECMO, unsure he'd live,...
Ravinder Nandal IDES
IDES Ravinder Nandal's Story of Self-Made Success
Balancing fatherhood, full-time jobs, and six UPSC attempts, Ravinder Nandal’s story is one of perseverance,...
Social Media
Tigress Arrowhead
The End of an Era: A Queen Falls - Ranthambore’s Iconic Tigress Arrowhead (T-84) Passes Away at 14, Hours After Daughter’s Relocation
Ranthambore mourns the loss of one of its fiercest and most beloved tigers, Arrowhead, the granddaughter...
Screenshot 2025-06-13 194001
Wild Elephant Disrupts Riverside Picnic, Sparks Debate on Human Encroachment; IFS Parveen Kumar Shares the Video - Watch Here!
Mr. Kaswan used the viral video, which has garnered over 1.5 lakh views, to highlight the risks of human...
Tiger jump Sundarban
Stunning Viral Video Shows Royal Bengal Tiger Making Spectacular 30-Foot Leap Across River in Sunderbans - See It Here
Retired Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Susanta Nanda shared the clip online, which quickly went...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
babita-kaler iAS
Gunfire Over Land Dispute: FIR Registered Against IAS Babita Kaler & Husband Following PSO’s Shooting in Jalandhar - Full Details Inside
Vishwajit Singh
From Bureaucrat to Ironman: Vishwajeet Singh Sheoran, Haryana’s First HCS Officer to Complete the Ironman, Redefines Greatness
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Inderjit Singh Interview Plane Crash
IRAS Ananth Rupanagudi
Monika Singh
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT