Lac is a natural resin secreted by lac insects, which thrive on specific host trees. Once the largest exporter of lac, India saw a decline in production with the advent of synthetic alternatives. However, the global shift towards natural resins has revitalized lac cultivation. In Karnataka, Kadamba Foundation, under the pro-farmer vision of Sri Anant Kumar Hegde, played a pioneering role in reintroducing and promoting lac farming.
A Brief History:
The word "lac" originates from the Sanskrit "laksha" (100,000), symbolizing the vast number of insects producing this resin. Lac has been referenced in ancient Hindu texts like the Atharva Veda, which recognized its medicinal value and identified the Palsah Tree (Butea monosperma) as the ideal host. The Mahabharata also mentions the construction of the Laaksha Gruha (Lac Palace).
Scientific studies on lac began in 1709 with Father Tachard, followed by detailed research from James Kerr and other botanists. Today, Kadamba Foundation continues this legacy, promoting lac cultivation in the Mundgod region. Notably, Tibetan farmer Kunchok Tseten, with Kadamba’s support, successfully cultivated 6,000 lac plants within his mango plantation, marking a significant milestone in the revival of this ancient practice.
In modern history the scientific study of Lac resin and the Lac insects was first done in 1709 by Father Tachard, a Christian missionary of the society of Jesuits. He studied its occurrence, preparation and also little bit physio-chemical properties. Then James Kerr, a medical officer in the India Company’s Service,undertook a scientific study and published the paper entitled .
Lac is a scarlet resin secreted by an insect that makes its home on trees. Laccifer lacca is a commercially important Indian lac insect which is found in tropical or subtropical regions on banyan and other plants. The leading producer of lac is Jharkand, followed by Chattisghar, West Bengal, Karnataka and Maharashtra.
Lac is applied over the skin in skin diseases. It stops bleeding in wounds and injuries, heals skin ulcers, speeds up recovery process of ulcer, wounds and other skin diseases. Purified Lac is used in Ayurvedic and Unani medicines. However, sourced as an animal origin, it has a great significance in management of joint disorders, osteoporosis, osteomalacia, osteoarthritis etc. It is also helpful in obesity, renal and spleen disorders, jaundice, backache problems, leprosy, ulceration, epilepsy and chicken pox. It is an amazing liver tonic when taken with other liver stimulant herbs.
Lac, the only resinous compound of animal origin has immense economic importance. No doubt the development of many synthetic products have made its importance to a little lesser degree, but still it can be included in the list of necessary articles. Lac is used in making toys, bracelets, sealing wax, gramophone records, bangles etc. Waste materials produced during the process of stick lac are used for dying purpose. From the stick lac, shellac is obtained after purification which is used as coating for medicines.
The LAC cultivation at Tibetan colony in Mundgod region. First time in India the Tibetans started cultivating LAC in Mundgod. The Kadamba Foundation volunteers with the farmer Mr. Kunchok Tseten.He has cultivated 6000 Plants in between Mango plantation.
| Sl No | Taluk | Area Covered (Ha) | No of benefeciaries |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ankola | 2 | 9 |
| 2 | Bhatkal | 3 | 5 |
| 3 | Haliyal | 1 | 6 |
| 4 | Honnavar | 12 | 12 |
| 5 | Joida | 12 | 12 |
| 6 | Kumta | 10 | 10 |
| 7 | Mundgod | 86 | 86 |
| 8 | Siddapur | 116 | 109 |
| 9 | Sirsi | 169 | 164 |
| 10 | Yellapur | 25 | 25 |
| 11 | Belgaum | 1 | 100 |
| Total | 11 | 214 | 438 |
Gum Lac cultivation under Kadamba
The very first seminar on lac cultivation in Sirsi at Uttara Kannada district with the association of IINRG-Ranchi, KVK-Sirsi and UAS-Dharwad on 26-06-2013
Shri Anantkumar Hegde was discussing with Agriculture officers and NABARD officers for further implementing the project in the farm level
The participants in the first awareness Seminar on Lac cultivation in Sirsi
The group photograph of the very first training programme for farmers, Government Officers and volunteers from Kadamba at IINRG campus in Ranchi (JHARKHAND)
Mr. Gopala Devadiga (Field Manager of Kadamba ) is receiving the certificate from IINRG-Director shri Ramani and Dr, Jaiswal
The VC and the director research of UAS-Dharwad along with Dr.Jaiswal from IINRG-Ranchi and Kadamba executives in UAS-Dharwad research campus on lac cultivation
The orientation seminar on lac cultivation in Dharwad KVK with cooperation of UAS-Dharwad. Hon’ble MP from Uttara Kannada and VC-UAS Dharwad are inaugurating the programme by watering the Flemingia semialata plant
The orientation seminar on lac cultivation in Shimogga with the cooperation of Agriculture and Horticulture University of Shimogga
Hon’ble MP from Uttara Kannada and VC- Agriculture and Horticulture University of Shimoga are inaugurating the programme
The very first training camp in Uttara Kannada district, supported by State Agriculture Department under “ATMA” scheme on 06-08-2014
Farmers field visit for lac cultivation under ATMA scheme
Releasing the brochure on lac cultivation under the training of ATMA scheme
Matured “Semialata” host plants for brud lac inaculation
The CEO-Uttara Kannada Zilla Panchayat. Senier officers from agriculture department, and Horticulture department are inspecting the host plant cultivation in KVK centre of Malagi village at Mundgot taluk of Uttara Kannada district.
CEO of Uttara Kannada ZP is having glance of semialata plantation along with Kadamba executives
Semialata nursery in Pala village at Mundgot taluk (Uttara Kannada)
The brudlac grown in “Sagadi tree in a village called Devanalli. It proves that, the people can grow the lac in forest area as a minor forest produce, without harming any trees, Moreover, it will be a complimentary benefit for the tree by proning the same for every two year
The matured lac encrustation on SAGADE tree
The lac grown in a caliendra plant in one of the lac growers farm. (We can see the wonderfull growth of lac)
Dr,Jaiswal (Chief scientist from IINRG-Ranchi) is in between wildly gron caliandra plants in Bidrakan village of Uttara Kannada district along with Kadamba executive
The Kadamba team exploring the wild lac host plants in western ghat along with Dr.Jaiswal-IINRG.
The farmers from Goa have visited the lac farm at Sirsi, in Uttara Kannada
A large scale semialata plantation in between gingeer crop, in sugavi village at sirsi taluk of Uttara Kannada district
The Lac cultivation awareness programme with cooperation of Karnataka State Forest Department at Konar village in Bhatkal taluk(UK)
The farmers training programmme at KVK-Kumta
The farmers training programmme at Ankola
The farmers training programmme at Mundgod
The farmers training programmme At Kansuru
The farmers training programmme At Kansuru
The farmers meeting about Lac cultivation & awareness in Kanapur taluk of Belgavi district
The Lac cultivation awareness programme in Neechadi village at Sagar taluk of Shimoga district
The Lac cultivation awareness programme in idagundi village at Yellapur taluk(UK)
Hon’ble MP of Uttara Kannada had visited lac farm in Chkmagalore district along with the coordinator of KVK Shimoga and othe senier government officers.
The programme for honoring the lac growers in Uttara Kannada district, at Gotgodikoppa village in Mundgod taluk
The lac cultivation and awareness programmme organaised by Kadamba, with association of NABARD at Sirsi. Smt,Shrirupa Hegde (Trustee of Kadamba Foundation) is inogarating the programme
The brud lac distribution programme for the farmers,at Sirsi for innaculating the brud lac on semialata and other lac host plants/Trees
The very first awareness programme in Hunsuru at Mysore district. The Hon’ble Member Parliament. Shri, Pratap Simha and Shri Anantkumar Hegde were inaugurated the function for lac cultivation
Shri Anantkumar Hegde(MP) and Shri Vijay Shankar (MLC) have visited the flemingia plantation (A host plant for “Gumlac insects”) at Arasu Kallahalli village in Hunsuru (Mysore District)
The motivation programme after the brudlac innnaculation in Hunsuru (Arasu Kallahalli village)