Lac Culture (Lac Insect Farming) Farming in India 2026
Rear lac insects on host trees for natural resin, dye and wax used across many industries
Overview
Lac culture is the rearing of the tiny lac insect Kerria lacca on host trees to harvest lac, a natural resin secreted by the insect. Lac yields shellac, lac dye and lac wax, used in pharmaceuticals, food coatings, cosmetics, paints, polishes, electronics and eco friendly products, and India is a leading lac producer. The insects are inoculated onto branches of host trees such as kusum, palas and ber using brood lac, settle and feed on the sap, and form a resin encrustation that is scraped off at harvest. Lac is mainly a tribal and forest livelihood in eastern and central India, needing host trees rather than cropland and giving income twice a year. Two strains, kusmi and rangeeni, differ in host preference, crop timing and resin quality. Returns depend on host trees, brood quality, weather and lac prices, so figures are indicative only.
Climate
Lac culture suits warm subtropical to tropical climates of eastern and central India where host trees thrive. The insect needs moderate temperatures and is sensitive to extreme heat and frost, with crop seasons timed so the delicate settling stage avoids the hottest and coldest months. Kusmi strain on kusum tolerates conditions that allow two crops a year, while rangeeni strain on palas and ber follows its own crop calendar. Forest and farm boundary trees in regions with a distinct monsoon and mild winters give good results. Match the crop and strain to the local season for best survival.
Soil
Lac needs no cropland or soil preparation, only suitable host trees. The key hosts are kusum, palas and ber, with the bushy Flemingia semialata grown as a quick bushy host for brood multiplication. Trees should be healthy, of suitable age and pruned to produce tender shoots that the insects settle on. Equipment is minimal, mainly brood lac bundles for inoculation, pruning tools, gunny or net to tie brood onto branches, and scraping and storage materials at harvest. Establishing or rejuvenating host trees and pruning them on a coupe system is the main setup task.
Planting & Spacing
Start with training from ICAR Indian Institute of Natural Resins and Gums or a state forest or agriculture department, and identify or plant host trees. At the right season, tie healthy brood lac onto pruned branches so the emerging larvae crawl out and settle on tender shoots, a step called inoculation. Use good quality disease and predator free brood from a reliable source to start the crop well. Prune host trees in advance so fresh shoots are ready, and protect young settled insects. Begin with a manageable number of trees to learn the crop calendar and brood handling before expanding.
Varieties
Lac comes in two main strains. The kusmi strain is grown mainly on kusum and gives higher quality lac that fetches better prices, with two crops a year known as aghani and jethwi. The rangeeni strain is grown on palas and ber and also gives two crops a year, katki and baisakhi, with somewhat lower resin quality. Each strain has its own crop calendar and host preference, so growers choose based on available host trees and market. Improved brood lines and crop management practices are recommended by the lac research institute to raise yield and quality.
Care & Management
After inoculation, watch that larvae settle well and remove excess or unsettled brood. Protect the crop from predators and parasites that attack the lac insect, using recommended cultural methods and timely harvesting. Prune and rest host trees on a rotation so they are not overburdened and stay healthy for future crops. Avoid spraying host trees with insecticides that would kill the lac insect, and shelter the crop from extreme heat where possible. Good brood selection, correct timing and tree care across seasons are the main ways to keep yields steady.
Pests & Diseases
The lac insect is attacked by predators such as the lac predator moths whose caterpillars eat the lac, and by parasitic wasps that reduce the insect population, and these are the main causes of crop loss. Squirrels, rats and birds can also damage the encrustation. Overcrowding, poor brood and bad weather lower survival. Control rests on using clean healthy brood, timely harvest before predators build up, and recommended practices from the lac research institute rather than chemical sprays that would harm the lac insect itself. Healthy well rested host trees also resist stress better and support stronger crops.
Yield & Harvest
Lac is harvested at maturity by cutting the encrusted branches and scraping off the raw lac, called sticklac, with crop seasons giving two harvests a year for each strain. Part of the crop is kept as brood lac for the next inoculation, and the rest is sold or processed. Yield per tree varies widely by host and strain, with kusum trees giving the highest output and price, ber and palas less. Reported per tree yields range broadly, for example several kg from kusum down to a kg or two from smaller hosts, so total output depends on the number and type of host trees. Treat figures as indicative.
Cost & Profit
Costs are low and mainly cover brood lac, labour for inoculation and harvest, and host tree care, since no land preparation or daily feeding is needed. Income comes twice a year from selling sticklac and from keeping brood for the next crop, and processing into seedlac or shellac adds value. Kusmi lac fetches higher prices than rangeeni due to better quality. Because lac uses existing forest and boundary trees, it adds income with little extra land cost, which suits tribal households. Lac prices fluctuate with industrial demand and exports, so avoid fixed buy back promises and plan around price swings.
These are indicative ranges. Actual cost and income vary by region, market and management, so verify locally.
Market & Demand
Sticklac is sold to traders and processors who convert it into seedlac, shellac, lac dye and lac wax for domestic industry and export. India exports shellac and lac products, and demand comes from pharmaceuticals, food and confectionery coatings, cosmetics, wood polish, paints and adhesives. Growers can sell raw sticklac at local markets and mandis or, through cooperatives and producer groups, reach processors and exporters at better rates. Value addition through basic processing raises returns. Keeping good brood and quality lac, especially kusmi, helps command higher prices in a market driven by industrial buyers.
Subsidy & Support
Lac culture is supported through ICAR Indian Institute of Natural Resins and Gums at Ranchi, which provides research, improved brood, training and technology, and through state forest, agriculture and tribal development departments. Programmes under tribal development, NABARD bankable projects, and schemes for minor forest produce and natural resins and gums can fund host plantation, brood, training and processing units. Self help groups and producer organisations in lac growing belts often access cluster support. Assistance terms vary by state and programme, so confirm current schemes and eligibility with the lac research institute, your state department or NABARD before investing.
Where to grow it in India
Frequently asked questions
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