How do I start lac culture and which host trees do I need?

Lac is a resin produced by the tiny lac insect, which lives on host trees. The main host trees are Palas (Butea), Ber (Indian jujube), Kusum and Semialata, and you inoculate broodlac (twigs carrying live lac insects) onto healthy host branches. There are two main strains (kusmi and rangeeni) with different host trees and seasons. Lac is used for shellac, dyes, bangles and coatings, and there is an organised buyer chain (traders and the shellac industry), with Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh as major belts. The Indian Institute of Natural Resins and Gums (ICAR-IINRG, Ranchi) is the key research and training institute and supplies improved broodlac and guidance. Practical risks are predator and parasite insects, weather, and price swings. Get broodlac, the right host-tree match and training from IINRG or your state agency, and line up a buyer before scaling.