Kadamba revived traditional lac cultivation with technical support from ICAR-IINRG, Ranchi, transforming it into a viable income-generating activity. This low-investment, eco-friendly practice allows cultivation on wastelands and involves women and elderly family members.
Background
Lac is a natural resin secreted by lac insects, which thrive on specific host trees. Once the largest exporter of lac, India saw production decline with the advent of synthetic alternatives — but the global shift towards natural resins has revitalised lac cultivation.
The word “lac” comes from the Sanskrit “laksha” (100,000), symbolising the vast number of insects that produce the resin. The Atharva Veda recognised its medicinal value and named the Palash tree (Butea monosperma) as the ideal host; the Mahabharata tells of the Laaksha Gruha.
In Karnataka, Kadamba Foundation played a pioneering role in reintroducing and promoting lac farming — and was honoured with the LAC Promotion Institutional Award for promoting lac cultivation in Karnataka and Goa.
Lac growers supported
Hectares under gumlac
Taluks / districts covered
Activities
- First seminar on lac cultivation in Sirsi with IINRG-Ranchi, KVK-Sirsi and UAS-Dharwad (26-06-2013)
- First training programme for farmers, officers and volunteers at the IINRG campus, Ranchi
- First training camp in Uttara Kannada under the State Agriculture Department’s ATMA scheme (06-08-2014)
- Orientation seminars at KVK Dharwad and the Agriculture & Horticulture University, Shivamogga
- Farmer programmes across Ankola, Mundgod, Kumta, Bhatkal, Yellapur, Belagavi, Shivamogga and Hunsur (Mysuru)
- Tibetan farmer Kunchok Tseten, Mundgod, cultivated 6,000 lac host plants within his mango plantation
Programme data
| Taluk | Area (ha) | Beneficiaries |
|---|---|---|
| Ankola | 2 | 9 |
| Bhatkal | 3 | 5 |
| Haliyal | 1 | 6 |
| Honnavar | 12 | 12 |
| Joida | 12 | 12 |
| Kumta | 10 | 10 |
| Mundgod | 86 | 86 |
| Siddapur | 116 | 109 |
| Sirsi | 169 | 164 |
| Yellapur | 25 | 25 |
| Belgaum | 1 | 100 |
| Total | 214* | 438* |
*Totals as published on the original website.
