Lakadong Cultivation: Case Study 8, Jaintia hills
Lakadong Cultivation: Case Study 8, Jaintia hills
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| Main Info | ML/JH/AGRI/008: Cultivation practices of Lakadong (Curcuma longa), Jaintia hills |
| Name of the Technique | Traditional Agricultural Knowledge in Cultivation Practices of Lakadong (Curcuma longa) |
| Source Title | Primary Survey |
| Source Publisher | Primary Survey, Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya |
| Source Year | 2023 |
| History Of The Technique | The knowledge holder aged 46 years who is a resident of Jaintia hills have been planting and cultivating Lakadong for the past 50 years. Lakadong was once mostly grown by the populace for their consumption and for sale in nearby marketplaces. Yet the demand has increased and the market has expanded and so has its cultivation. It is said that there is a legend or a piece of folklore about how Lakadong was cultivated. Back then when there were mutual understandings between humans and other living things, it was said when a man went into a forest one fine day, he had heard a voice calling out for help. On looking around, he discovered that the sound had come from a particular Lakadong plant. It pleaded the man for assistance because it was in danger pertaining to its extinction due to calamities such as plant sickness, pest infestation and being eaten up by various animals and insects. Lakadong made a pledge to assist man and serve with regard to medicinal value and its usage in religious rites if the man complies with the Lakadong’s wish. Ever since, man has preserved and passed down the ‘Lakadong’ plantation traditions from generation to generation. |
| Manufacturing technique | Land preparation: February-March Planting period: March-April |
| Method of Preparation | From 700–750 kg of planting materials, around 1800–2000 kg of rhizomes can be produced. Five kilograms of fresh rhizomes can be dried and processed to make one kilogramme of powder. The price of the fresh Rhizomes ranges from Rs.25-35 per kg and the processed/powdered form ranges from Rs. 175-200 per kg. |
| Material Composition | Plantation Practices: The first stage in the plantation practices is the clearing of the land in the month of February-March which requires removing all weeds, storing them in one place, and piling them on top of one another. Once the piled weeds/ grass have dried up completely they are directly burned into ashes. Following that, the ashes from the burnt weed are thoroughly mixed with cow manure. This entire mixture is used as manure in planting Lakadong. After the preparation of the land through ploughing; planting is done in the month of March-April. While some communities who are still practicing old customs; plants the Lakadong after the conclusion of the ‘Behdeinkhlam’ festival. Since doing so; it is said to have enhance the harvest. Manure, a combination of cow dung and burnt ash, is added to pits that have been dug and are 10 to 15 cm broad and 20 to 30 cm deep. For planting, only a thin layer of soil is used for covering the rhizome. Earthing up is done when the emerged shoots are around 1-2 inches above the soil surface. |
| How to implement | Harvesting Period: December is the time for harvesting the Lakadong turmeric. When the aerial portion has dried out then the plant is considered ready for harvesting. The harvested rhizomes are divided into two after the harvest where the juvenile rhizomes which are devoid of roots will be utilised for additional processing and the rhizomes having roots will be kept as mother plants for planting it in the next season. Uses: Medicinal uses, condiments, rituals and religious practices/festivals. |
| New R & D leads | Reported and proven medicinal properties of Lakadong including strengthening the overall energy of the body, relieving gas, dispelling worms, improving digestion, regulating menstruation, dissolving gallstones, and relieving arthritis |
| Theme | Traditional Agriculture |
| Sub Theme | Food Crops |
| Tags | Curcumin, Tubers,Turmeric |
| Source Title | Primary Survey |
| Source Publisher | Primary Survey, Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya |
| Source Year | 2023 |