Lac Cultivation and Marketing

Lac cultivation is carried out by about 3 to 4 million Adivasls (backward class of people) in the states of Bihar, M.P., West Bengal, U.P., Orissa, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Pruning of bost trees, inoculation and harvestirg are the main operations involved in lac cultivation. There are four crops viz Baisakhi and Katki (Rangeeni), Jethwi and Aghani (Kusumi) in a year. The main lac hosts are Palas, Ber and Kusum. Average yield of stick lac per tree is 4 kg for Palas, 6 kg for Ber and 10 kg for Kusum. This can be increased by adopting improved and scientific methods. The present production of stick lac is about 15,000 metric tonnes per annum of which 85% in the form of Seedlac/Shellac and other lac products is exported The prospects for higher production appear to be bright if a fair price is ensured to lac cultivation. It is necessary to start support price and buffer stock operations as price support measure.