Interested in lemongrass for essential oil. Want planting, distillation and market basics.
How to grow lemongrass and is the oil market good?
TThomas Joseph9 महीने पहले · 315 व्यू
5 जवाब
🌾Farmer.in Krishi Teamविशेषज्ञ ✓9 महीने पहले
Lemongrass is a hardy perennial aromatic grass grown for its essential oil, well suited to slopes, wastelands and rainfed areas, and Kerala's Idukki and Wayanad hills are known for it. Plant slips on well drained soil; it establishes quickly, tolerates poor land and drought, needs few inputs, and is harvested by cutting the grass several times a year for three to four years from one planting. The cut herbage is steam distilled to get lemongrass oil, used in soaps, cosmetics, perfumery and aromatherapy. Oil recovery is modest per tonne of grass, so scale and an efficient distillation unit matter. The oil market exists and is fairly steady but prices fluctuate, so a buyer or processing tie up helps. It is a good low maintenance option for marginal land. Confirm current oil rates and distillation access, and ask your KVK about high oil varieties and any aromatic plant support before scaling up.
MMary George8 महीने पहले
Lemongrass grows on my sloping land where nothing else did well. Very low maintenance, I cut it several times a year. The key is a distillation unit nearby, I share one. Oil price moves but there is steady demand from soap and cosmetic buyers.
BBiju8 महीने पहले
Good crop for marginal land and it controls soil erosion on slopes too. Distill fresh cut grass for better oil. One planting lasts a few years so cost after the first year is low. Fix where you will sell the oil first.
JJoseph Mathew8 महीने पहले
Distillation is the make or break part. Without a unit nearby you cannot move tonnes of cut grass anywhere, it is too bulky. A few of us pooled money for a small steam unit and that changed the economics completely. Distill the same day you cut for the best oil recovery.
AAnnamma7 महीने पहले
The oil keeps well if stored in a sealed container away from light, so I can hold a little and sell when the rate improves. Demand from the soap and aroma trade is steady but the price still wobbles, so do not plant a huge area expecting one fixed high rate.