Cultivation of Lac provides significant Secondary Income boost and improves tribal and rural livelihoods, states Director at ICAR-RCER.
On May 16, 2025, the ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region (ICAR-RCER) in Patna hosted the 4th National Lac Insect Day. The event, organised under the Network Project on Conservation of Lac Insect Genetic Resources, funded by the ICAR-National Institute of Secondary Agriculture (NISA), Ranchi, aimed to raise awareness about the ecological and economic significance of the lac insect (Kerria lacca).
Leading the event were Dr. R. L. Verma and Dr. S. K. Singh, the heads of the ICAR-RCER's lac insect project. Joining them were Dr. Shivani, Dr. Ved Prakash, and Dr. Abhishek Kumar, all scientists at ICAR-RCER, Patna.
Dr. Abhishek Kumar, the project's Principal Investigator, delivered a lecture on the importance of conserving the lac insect. He encouraged students to raise awareness about lac conservation among farmers and rural populations in their native regions. Dr. Ved Prakash spoke about the socio-economic aspects of lac insect conservation, while Dr. Shivani emphasised the ecological benefits of preserving the lac insect.
Lac culture, the practice of nurturing lac insects on specific host trees, is a significant source of livelihood for many rural communities. It provides a valuable natural resin with diverse applications. In fact, a recent news article stated that lac cultivation has received agriculture status in Jharkhand, potentially boosting growth opportunities. (Related Links)
Dr. Anup Das, Director of ICAR-RCER, Patna, conveyed a message about the importance of lac cultivation as an important source of secondary income and its role in uplifting the livelihood of tribals and rural farmers. He urged the younger generation to take an active role in promoting scientific lac cultivation as a sustainable enterprise.
The celebration concluded with an interactive knowledge-sharing session focusing on practical applications in rural extension and outreach. A total of 40 undergraduate students from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Patna Hub, participated in the event. They were motivated to take forward the message of lac conservation and sustainable utilization within their communities.
In essence, the 4th National Lac Insect Day at ICAR-RCER, Patna was a successful event that highlighted the importance of lac insect conservation and its role in supporting the livelihoods of tribal and rural communities. The first publication of the article was on May 16, 2025, at 05:08 IST.
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