Patchouli cultivation – A boon for resource poor farmers

Abstract

Patchouli has been identified as one such essential oil bearing aromatic plant with immense export potential. Patchouli oil production could be a rural based, labour intensive, low cost agro-base cottage industry, which will give large-scale employment in rural and hilly areas. Being a shade loving plant, it can easily be grown as an intercrop amidst fruit trees, arecanut and coconut plantation etc. It can also be easily cultivated in flood free fallow or wastelands. This will provide some extra income for the farmers. India can be a key player in the production of this essential aromatic oil. CSIR-CIMAP has done vast research to develop suitable varieties and agro-technology for patchouli farming.