Himachal Pradesh to become first state in India to have organised cultivation of Mulethi

PALAMPUR: For the first time, Himachal Pradesh (HP) has begun the commercial cultivation of liquorice (Mulethi) with the distribution of planting material among the farmers by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)- Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT).

Dr Sanjay Kumar, director of the institute informed on Monday that planting material of "Mulethi" (Glycyrrhiza glabra) was distributed to the farmers for commercial cultivation in the state for the first time.

“Mulethi fetches high demand in India which is not only used as a spice but in ayurvedic medicines also due to its medicinal properties, presently it is largely imported from other countries but now HP will be the first state in the country having organised cultivation of Mulethi," said Sanjay.

He said apart from Mulethi seeds and planting material of various crops were also distributed to farmers from different parts of the state.

Director said they also launched "One Week – One Laboratory" programme at CSIR-IHBT, Palampur from February 20-25, 2023 to showcase its technological breakthroughs to the general public. The program was inaugurated by Ashish Butail, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, HP.

"The scientists of the institute have significantly contributed towards the self-reliance of farmers and entrepreneurs by developing agricultural techniques of crops like asafoetida, saffron, stevia, lilium, cinnamon. Distillation units were set up in different states to grow and process aromatic crops, especially lavender and aromatic marigold", Sanjay said while detailing the purpose of the programme.

He said for one week they would keep their laboratories open for the general public, enterprenures new start-ups etc.so they could get to know their research work done by the institute and get benefit.

During this programme, 37 premier institutes of CSIR were showcasing the successes achieved by their technological achievements and innovations across India, he said.

On the occasion , he said, Butai invited the industries to invest in the state and assured them of government support to generate livelihood for the people in the state.

Mulethi is a perennial shrub having sweet roots due presence of glycyrrhizin, which is 50 times sweeter than sucrose and it is used as a natural sweetener in herbal medicines, flavouring in candies and tobacco. It is also used in traditional medicine against treating chest and lung diseases etc.

Mulethi is grown mainly in Afghanistan, while minor producing countries include Pakistan, China, Nepal and India. India imports 8047 tonnes of liquorice annually from Afghanistan, China and Nepal. Realising the large import of liquorice in the country, it was envisioned to extend its production area through initiating organized cultivation after identifying the potential areas in HP The districts of Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Kangra, Una, Solan and Sirmour in HP have potential areas for its cultivation. eom