Orissa reaps huge returns on Kewara flower cultivation

Cultivation of the Kewara flower and extraction of its essence is earning huge turnovers for farmers in Orissa.

By Sarda Lahangir

Bhubaneshwar, Oct 1 : Cultivation of the 'Kewara' flower and extraction of its essence is earning huge turnovers for farmers in Orissa.

Kewra is mainly cultivated in the coastal belt of Ganjam District where climatic conditions are suitable for its growth.

We have many acres of land available where we cultivate only Kewara," said Laxman Deddy, a farmer.

"The perfume from the Kewara is very popular and more in demand by people in foreign countries," said Natwar, another farmer.

In Ganjam District, nearly 5000 hectares of land is used for Kewra cultivation, where each Kewara plant produces nearly 80 to 100 flowers.

A new plant gives flowers after five to seven years and has an estimated life of 40 to 50 years.

The essence of the Kewara flower is called RU, which is further used in the preparation of perfumes and several medicines.

The cost of RU is very high in the international market. One kilogram of RU essence costs Rs. 4,00,000 (dollar 10057). Only 30 to 40 grams of oil are extracted from 1000 flowers.

The Department of Technology Support Center for Kewara Industries was established in 2002 for testing the quality of the essence produced here.

Since the essence is widely exported to various countries across the world, testing the oil is of utmost importance to maintain the level of standard.

"Our center is providing testing facilities to farmers. Earlier, farmers producing Kewara oil had to go all the way to Kanauj and Kanpur to get testing done and then market their products," said B.P. Mishra, Scientific Assistant, Department of Technology Support center for Kewara Industries.

Ganjam District registers a business of Rs 400 million annually and nearly 15,000 families are dependent upon the cultivation of Kewara for their livelihood.

Due to the availability of good quality of RU, people from all over the country come here to purchase the essence.

The quality of the produce is high in three blocks of Ganjam District - Rangeilunda, Chikitee and Chatrapur.

It is also cultivated in Paradeep, Balasore and Puri.

Kewara essence is used for flavouring sweets that are made with sugar syrup, like Petha, Ras Malai.

Kewra is also used to perfume Pulao (a rice dish).

ANI