Jamshedpur, August 31: The CSIR–National Metallurgical Laboratory (CSIR–NML), Jamshedpur, in collaboration with Xavier Institute of Tribal Education (XITE), Gamharia, organised a five-day training programme on “Lemongrass Cultivation and Oil Extraction” at CSIR–Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR–IIIM), Jammu.
The programme was held under the Science, Technology and Innovation Hub (STI Hub) project, sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. It aimed at promoting sustainable livelihood opportunities for rural communities through alternative farming practices, especially medicinal and aromatic plants.
Villagers from seven selected villages in Jharkhand, including Basahatu, Patahatu, Sonro and Porlong, actively took part in the training. Sessions focused on practical knowledge of lemongrass cultivation, including field preparation, crop management, harvesting methods, and oil extraction through distillation. To ensure continuity of the learning, participants were also given lemongrass samples for cultivation in their villages.
The initiative seeks to empower rural households with an alternative and sustainable source of income, while encouraging the use of indigenous resources for producing value-added products. Organisers highlighted that such training connects scientific knowledge with community needs, offering both economic benefits and long-term social impact.
