Important oil extraction can double farmers’ earnings

Farmers can double their income after essential oil extraction by selling the various products including hydrosol and the remaining biomass as they are sought after for premium soaps, shampoos, creams, cosmetics and condiments. Scientists at the Forest Research Institute (FRI) said so during a one-day training program on extracting essential oil from aromatic plants, conducted in collaboration with Mussoorie-based progressive farmer Jyoti Marwah. As a case study, essential oil was extracted from ginger using an efficient field distillation unit. Vineet Kumar of FRI said the training was part of the Ministry of Science and Technology funded project aimed at training farmers to be motivated to grow essential oleaginous crops as it would be helpful for their income generation. He went on to say that plants bearing essential oils are easy to grow and care for because grazing animals do not affect them. Marwah motivated local farmers by highlighting the uses and benefits of essential oils in different sectors.