Japanese mint cultivation expanded to 40 acres in Koraput | Bhubaneswar News
Koraput: To ensure economic growth of farmers, the Koraput administration has expanded the cultivation of Japanese mint to 40 acres across Pottangi, Narayanpatna and Bandhugaon blocks by involving over 75 tribal farmers.
This initiative follows a successful experimental cultivation of the herb that sparked interest among local farmers. The expansion is supported by the CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), Lucknow, with Rs 45 lakh funding from the District Mineral Fund (DMF) over three years in collaboration with Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS).
“In Jan 2023, two varieties of Japanese mint — Kosi and Kranti — were introduced on an experimental basis. The encouraging response from farmers led us to expand cultivation to more areas,” said Roshan Kartik, deputy director of ORMAS, Koraput.
Unlike the common kitchen herb ‘pudina’, Japanese mint is harvested during the lean period between paddy and maize cultivation. It has versatile uses in food flavouring, medicine, confectionery, pan masala, soft drinks and pharmaceuticals.
A recent batch of 500 grams of mint from Kondapadi village was sent to CIMAP for laboratory testing to assess its suitability for applications like chewing gum. Upon approval, the cultivation may be expanded further.
The crop is yielding promising results, with one acre producing three tonnes of fresh biomass and 40 to 55 litres of oil. Mint oil is sold at market prices ranging from Rs 1,300 to Rs 1,500 per litre, ensuring good returns. The project also includes installation of a mint oil extraction unit at Sipaiput. Each acre is projected to generate a net income of around Rs 35,000. “We are confident that mint cultivation will not only improve the livelihood of tribal farmers but also establish Koraput as a key player in the aromatic plants market,” said Kartik.
This initiative follows a successful experimental cultivation of the herb that sparked interest among local farmers. The expansion is supported by the CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), Lucknow, with Rs 45 lakh funding from the District Mineral Fund (DMF) over three years in collaboration with Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS).
“In Jan 2023, two varieties of Japanese mint — Kosi and Kranti — were introduced on an experimental basis. The encouraging response from farmers led us to expand cultivation to more areas,” said Roshan Kartik, deputy director of ORMAS, Koraput.
Unlike the common kitchen herb ‘pudina’, Japanese mint is harvested during the lean period between paddy and maize cultivation. It has versatile uses in food flavouring, medicine, confectionery, pan masala, soft drinks and pharmaceuticals.
A recent batch of 500 grams of mint from Kondapadi village was sent to CIMAP for laboratory testing to assess its suitability for applications like chewing gum. Upon approval, the cultivation may be expanded further.
The crop is yielding promising results, with one acre producing three tonnes of fresh biomass and 40 to 55 litres of oil. Mint oil is sold at market prices ranging from Rs 1,300 to Rs 1,500 per litre, ensuring good returns. The project also includes installation of a mint oil extraction unit at Sipaiput. Each acre is projected to generate a net income of around Rs 35,000. “We are confident that mint cultivation will not only improve the livelihood of tribal farmers but also establish Koraput as a key player in the aromatic plants market,” said Kartik.
