Vol. 3 No. 2 (2016): Vol 3, Iss 2, Year 2016
Articles

LEMONGRASS OIL - A MAJOR SOURCE OF INCOME FOR THE TRIBALS OF WAYANAD DISTRICT KERALA

Sangeeth Thekkan
Department of Botany, Kongunadu Arts and Science College, Coimbatore-641 029
Paulsamy S
Department of Botany, Kongunadu Arts and Science College, Coimbatore-641 029
Published December 30, 2016
Keywords
  • Lemongrass oil, Biomass, Tribals, Livelihood, Wayanad.
How to Cite
Thekkan, S., & S, P. (2016). LEMONGRASS OIL - A MAJOR SOURCE OF INCOME FOR THE TRIBALS OF WAYANAD DISTRICT KERALA. Kongunadu Research Journal, 3(2), 67-69. https://doi.org/10.26524/krj147

Abstract

Paniyas, Adiyas, Kattunaikan, Kuruman, Karimbalan and Kurchiyas are the native tribal communities and inhibiting the Wayanad district of Kerala. Most of the tribals have engaged in the collecting of minor forest produce and lemongrass cultivation. They have also involved as agriculture labours and casual labours
for forest dept etc to meet their demand for basic livelihood. Cultivation of lemongrass for oil distillation is considered to be one of the major sources of income for them. The oil yield was determined on basis of grass biomass distilled and the quantity of oil extracted. Among the study areas, Pulpally registered higher annual biomass production of lemongrass (8380 kg/acre) followed by Ambalavayal (7800 kg/acre), Meppadi (7540 kg/acre) and Mananathavady (6440 kg/acre). Lemongrass cultivation and extraction of lemongrass oil from the host provide better job oppurtunities and fairly good economic return in Wayanad district.

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