Introduction

Bioved research institute of agriculture and technology, Allahabad reintroduced lac culture technology in Uttar Pradesh with technical collaboration of IINRG, Ranchi with financial assistance of ICAR and DBT Govt. of India. Frontline demonstrations of scientific method of lac cultivation have been done in four districts viz., Allahabad, Chitrakoot, Mirzapur and Sonbhadra which have created self-confidence about the lac farming among the lac growing farmers of Uttar Pradesh.

38 villages and 154 SHG’s are engaged in lac farming in four districts of Uttar Pradesh. These villages were selected on the basis of availability of lac host plants.16 quintal broodlac were distributed free of cost among selected lac farmers for primary inoculation and broodlac production for the next crop to the farmers of districts. 56 training programmes was organised in different selected villages for providing training to the selected Self help groups with the help of subject experts and scientists of IINRG Namkum, Ranchi. 5 Lac Kissan Mela was organized at Bioved Krishi Prodyogiki Gram, Mohrab, Allahabad and on the occasion of Rastriya Ramayan Mela Sringverpur Dham and at 4 Mandal levels (16 districts) for wide adoption of lac culture technology by the new farmers. During Front-line demonstration, 1240 farmers of the four selected districts were trained on lac production technology. Two villages of Allahabad district viz., Latifpur and Mohinnudinpur were selected for field observation of incidence of insect pests and for assessment of damage of lac crop by enemies.

Current status of lac cultivation and production in Uttar Pradesh

• Lac cultivation started in 38 villages of Allahabad, Chitrakoot, Mirzapur and Sonbhadra. 54 SHG’s are engaged in lac farming.

• 1540 families of total population 13900 are involved in lac cultivation.

• 56 training programme, 5 lac kisan mela at district level organized during 2009-10.

• 1054 q scraped lac has been processed by Bioved lac processing & ware unit situated at Bioved krishi prodyogiki gram, Sringverpur in own purchased 50 acre land.

• 547.3 q seed lac and 442.1 q button lac production have been done by Bioved lac processing & ware unit, Allahabad.

• Average income per farmers/season was evaluated in the month of July 2010 in Allahabad district- Rs. 24072; Chitrakoot- Rs. 23,925; Mirzapur- Rs. 20,220 and Sonbhadra-Rs. 15,225.

Waste and barren lands are being developed through lac host plantations. 26 villages are being involved for lac host plantation. Total population of 9473 (SC/ST-5683) is being benefited from lac host plantation programme. 473,800 lac host plants have been raised in nurseries developed by 26 SHG’s and the income of these SHG’s was Rs. 29,67,000 by sale of 3,06,700 host plants. 46 training camps were organized for nursery farming at their villages. Rs.1, 93,685 was saving of 26 SHG’s from nursery farming. Average income Rs.24, 725 per member per annum has been assessed from nursery farming.

 Lac value added products preparation technology

• Bioved has developed some innovative ideas for preparation of 350 lac value added products through the utilization of agro waste and bio-resources waste materials, Cow dung, urine, dead animal waste materials i,e., horn and bone etc. In the period of 2009-10, 150 q button lac has been utilized for the preparation of value added products for the domestic use.

• 48 SHG’s are involved in lac value added products preparation technology. 1552 beneficiaries (M- 418, F-1134) are earning Rs. 21,200 to 48,000 per member per annum.

• 7921 beneficiaries are being participated in capacity building programme which includes M-2380, F-2466 and adult children-3075.

• 150 q button lac has been utilized for preparation of lac value added products.

• Jharcraft, Jharkhand, State Institute for development of arts & crafts, Orissa Govt. and Tajana Shellac Pvt. Ltd., NABARD, Jharakhand, UNDP, SGP, GEF have extended their co-operation for promotion and marketing of lac value added products prepared by SHG’s  

Issues and remedial measure

• Proven technology of scientific method of lac cultivation under farmer’s field should be promoted for wide adoption and to provide feed back regularly. Production of quality broodlac is the urgent need of state in appropriate quantity.

• Hi-tech nursery of lac host plants and quick bushy lac host plant Flemingia semialata should be promoted.

• Minimum supporting price of the lac should be decided by IINRG. · Joint forest management programme should be interacted with lac growers like other state of the country. · Lac marketing system should be established on co- operative manner.

• There is no any action plan of lac cultivation with agriculture and forest department in the state/state agriculture universities, KVK and research institution.

• Scientific method of lac cultivation is the best tool for sustainable community based livelihood security in rainfed and irrigated areas.

• Mechanized harvesting system should be developed. · Propagation of awareness for adoption of scientific method of lac cultivation among lac growers, it will be one of the important approach for boosting lac production in the state.

• Lac commodity has not been included in the activities of line department of state govt. and govt. of India.

• Vocational training programme for lac value added products preparation for self employment of rural youth is the urgent need of state.

• Lac value added products preparation technology and agro-waste and bio-resources waste, dead animal waste materials management should be promoted with the joint use of lac.

Supporting system for lac development

• A pilot project should be prepared by IINRG with state Govt. for frontline demonstration of scientific method of lac cultivation.

• Primary processing and lac value added products for domestic use should be promoted for wider use from bottom to top level.

• Lac commodity should be included with major commodities by state Govt. and Govt. of India programme.

• Need based, resourceful technology of lac cultivation should be identified by IINRG for each state of the country.

• National lac culture mission / National lac culture technology development board should be established.