Bhubaneswar/Kalahandi
For decades, Kondh tribals and Scheduled Caste farmers in Odisha’s tribal-dominated Kalahandi district proudly cultivated GI-tagged Kandhamal Haldi (turmeric). Its reputation as a globally renowned spice, backed by the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, gave them a sense of pride.
Yet, in practice, the crop proved a struggle. Its cultivation demanded heavy investment, intense labour, and yielded relatively low returns. For small farmers in villages like Gamandi, the numbers simply did not add up.
Last year, in a dramatic shift, about 30 farmers decided to move away from their famed turmeric. With guidance from the Agency for Welfare Activities for Rural Development (AWARD), they began experimenting with CIM-Pitambar, a new turmeric variety developed by the Central Institute of Aromatic and Medicinal Plants (CIMAP) in Lucknow.
Alongside, they planted lemongrass, palmarosa, mentha, and tulsi on nearly 30 acres of land. The shift marked the beginning of a new agricultural experiment—one blending tradition with innovation, and hope with hard science.
“Dried GI-tagged Kandhamal Haldi sells at Rs 80 to Rs 105 per kilogram. On the other hand, CIM-Pitambar fetches between Rs 140 and Rs 200,” farmer leader Jirimio Digal told The Indian Tribal.
Why Kandhamal Haldi Lost Its Shine
Kandhamal Haldi remains prized for its deep colour and distinct aroma. However, cultivating it is costly. Farmers spent between Rs 8,000 and Rs 10,000 per acre just on labour-intensive processes. But yields averaged just five quintals of dried turmeric per acre, limiting income.
By contrast, CIM-Pitambar offered a different promise. Farmers invested only Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500 per acre. And yields were higher—around seven quintals of dried turmeric per acre. Most importantly, CIM-Pitambar had a curcumin content of 5.5 percent, far above Kandhamal Haldi’s 3.5 percent. This compound, celebrated for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, made the new variety more attractive to buyers and the pharmaceutical industry.
“Curcumin is the golden compound of turmeric,” explained CIMAP’s senior principal scientist Dr. Prasant Kumar Rout. “CIM-Pitambar combines higher medicinal value with economic advantages.”
The Aromatic Revolution
Farmers of Gamandi have not stopped at turmeric. On 20 acres, they planted lemongrass; palmarosa covers two acres; mentha is spread over four acres; and tulsi occupies another two acres. Together, these aromatic and medicinal crops represent a diversification strategy designed to shield farmers from the uncertainties of single-crop farming.
Each plant carries commercial and medicinal value:
- Lemongrass (Citral): Used in room fresheners, insect repellents, and antimicrobial products.
- Palmarosa (Geraniol): Rose-scented oil for perfumes and antimicrobial agents.
- Tulsi (Methyl Chavicol): An ingredient for cough syrups, pharmaceutical drops, and fresheners.
- Mentha (Menthol): A key in mouth fresheners, balms, and massage oils.
Farmers sourced seeds and saplings from CIMAP under the Union Ministry of Science and Technology’s National Aromatic Mission. “We got seeds and saplings free of cost. We only invested in tilling, planting, and stacking,” said Phillip Pradhan, secretary of the 31-member farmer producer group ‘Prayas.’
One-time investments like lemongrass can last nearly a decade, being harvested three to four times annually. Others like mentha, palmarosa, and turmeric require replanting each year. In 2024, farmers procured 250 kg of CIM-Pitambar saplings, 90 kg of mentha suckers, 3.5 lakh lemongrass saplings, 80 kg of basil seeds, and 15 kg of palmarosa seeds to kickstart this experiment.
“Each farmer family is expected to add Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 annually, as demand for essential oil extracts is increasing in both national and international markets,” Moses Digal, president of Sambhab farmers’ group, told The Indian Tribal.
Already, farmers have extracted 10 kilograms of lemongrass oil and 60 kilograms of mentha oil. Branding and packaging will follow once CIMAP provides the required certification.
Riding The Essential Oil Wave
The global demand for essential oils is rising rapidly. According to Grand View Research, India’s essential oil market was worth USD 484.8 million in 2024 and is expected to surge to USD 1,123.5 million by 2033.
For Gamandi’s farmers, this represents a golden opportunity. Yet, challenges remain. Currently, they must travel 15 kilometers to Sarangada to extract oil, paying Rs 2,200 for each “tankful” (five to six kilograms).
They already own a small processing unit for Kandhamal Haldi powder, set up at Rs 2 lakh. But establishing a full-fledged oil extraction unit would require over Rs 10 lakh. “We now wait for CIMAP’s certification to approach the state horticulture department for financial assistance,” Jirimio explained.
AWARD plans to expand cultivation from 30 farmers to over 100 within two years, covering 100–150 acres with CIM-Pitambar and aromatic crops.
Sweet Diversification: Honey And Bees
The diversification does not end with plants. Two Gamandi farmers recently started beekeeping using ‘Saptapheni’ honey bees amidst their tulsi fields. The experiment has already yielded 60 kilograms of honey from five bee colonies purchased from Keonjhar.
The economics look promising. Pure honey can fetch Rs 600 per kilogram. Bee venom, used in treating rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis, was valued globally at USD 333 million in 2022 and is projected to exceed USD 530 million by 2030. Bee wax, used in candles, lip balms, furniture polish, and waterproofing, is another valuable by-product, with the global market expected to hit USD 1,047 million by 2034.
“We will start marketing our honey along with CIM-Pitambar powder and essential oils after certification from CIMAP,” said Pramod Kumar Gadnaik, AWARD’s field officer. “Step by step, we will also collect bee venom and wax.”
Pramod trained in modern scientific beekeeping under Dr. Bikash Kumar Patra, Odisha’s only bee scientist, in Bhubaneswar. “The training helped us learn safe extraction of honey, venom, and wax,” he said.
The initial investment was modest. While bee boxes were provided free, transportation from Keonjhar cost Rs 12,000. Encouraged by early results, Jirimio confirmed: “Now we have decided to rope in 30 to 40 farmers for beekeeping.”
Towards A Sustainable Future
The transformation unfolding in Gamandi is not without hurdles—processing units, certifications, and market access remain challenges. But the strategy of diversification—CIM-Pitambar turmeric, aromatic plants, and beekeeping—offers farmers a pathway out of subsistence farming into sustainable livelihoods.
AWARD’s approach reflects a larger trend in tribal agriculture: moving from traditional crops with limited commercial value to high-demand medicinal and aromatic plants that align with global market trends. With institutional backing from CIMAP and the National Aromatic Mission, the farmers of Kalahandi are positioning themselves as part of India’s emerging essential oils and natural products economy.
For these Kondh farmers, the experiment is more than just agricultural—it is about rewriting the future of their community. If successful, Gamandi may soon be known not only for Kandhamal Haldi, but also as a hub for aromatic crops and honey.
