Status & Status & Economic Economic

importance of importance of kewra oil kewra oil

Presented byPresented by::H.S.Bisht,H.S.Bisht,

Dy. Director (Admn.)Dy. Director (Admn.)O/o DC(MSME)O/o DC(MSME)

NUT SHELL INFORMATION ON NUT SHELL INFORMATION ON KEWRAKEWRA

Kewda plant is a shrub belonging to Kewda plant is a shrub belonging to the family pandanaceae. The botanical the family pandanaceae. The botanical name of the plant is Pandanus name of the plant is Pandanus Fascicularis Lim. Syn. P. Odoratissimus. Fascicularis Lim. Syn. P. Odoratissimus.

It is called “Keora” in Hindi, “Kia” in It is called “Keora” in Hindi, “Kia” in Oriya, “Keda” in Marathi, “Kewoda” in Oriya, “Keda” in Marathi, “Kewoda” in Gujarati, “Ketaki” in Sanskrit. Gujarati, “Ketaki” in Sanskrit.

BACKGROUND

It is a densely branched shrub It is a densely branched shrub supported by aerial roots. It grows supported by aerial roots. It grows to a height of 4 to 6 metres and is to a height of 4 to 6 metres and is generally found along the banks of generally found along the banks of rivers, canals, rice fields, ponds etc. rivers, canals, rice fields, ponds etc.

Kewda is having commercial Kewda is having commercial

important due to the utilisation of important due to the utilisation of male spadices (popularly known as male spadices (popularly known as flower) in the production of kewda flower) in the production of kewda oil, kewda attar and kewda wateroil, kewda attar and kewda water..

GROWING CENTRE

This plant is widely available in pockets of Puri, Cuttack, Balasore and Jagatsinghpur district, but there is no commercial exploitation in these parts.

The main concentration of kewda plant in Ganjam District are found at Keluapali, Chhatarpur, Indrakhi, Rangeilunda, Gopalpur, Tulu etc.

Ganjam district of Odisha supply about 85-90% of country’s kewda essence with estimated turnover of Rs. 35-45 crores.

So far Kewda flowers are collected from widely growing trees on bunds, roadside and Government land. However, recently some farmers have taken up cultivation and developed some agro practices.

A fully grown “Kewda” tree lives upto 40-45 years though flowering starts from 5th year onwards.

It is estimated that there are 2-3 million trees growing on about 5000 hectares and produce more than 35 million male spidices per year.

o About 70% of flowers are About 70% of flowers are produced in the months of produced in the months of June and lasts upto June and lasts upto September.September.

o The remaining are picked The remaining are picked mostly in November, January mostly in November, January and April.and April.

FLOWERING SEASON

The analysis of plants per hectare of The analysis of plants per hectare of land reveals that it contains on an land reveals that it contains on an average 250 plants in one hectare on its average 250 plants in one hectare on its boundaries. boundaries.

Each plant can produce 50-60 flowers Each plant can produce 50-60 flowers after 5 years of plantation and 100-120 after 5 years of plantation and 100-120 flowers from 10th year onwards upto 30-flowers from 10th year onwards upto 30-40 years. 40 years.

CULTIVATION AND ECONOMIC ANALYSIS

STATUSSTATUS Today there are more than 130 Today there are more than 130 number of units (Bhattis) operating with number of units (Bhattis) operating with more than 1000 stills for kewda more than 1000 stills for kewda processing. It has resulted demand for processing. It has resulted demand for flowers manifolds. flowers manifolds.

Kewda distillation in Odisha was first Kewda distillation in Odisha was first started about 200 years back in started about 200 years back in Berhampur and Chhatarpur region of Berhampur and Chhatarpur region of Ganjam District of Odisha by some Ganjam District of Odisha by some Muslims of earstwhile Punjab Province of Muslims of earstwhile Punjab Province of undivided India. undivided India.

Thereafter some others from Kannauj, Thereafter some others from Kannauj, Gajipur, Lucknow and other parts of Gajipur, Lucknow and other parts of North India entered in this field. North India entered in this field.

It is estimated that 90% of total It is estimated that 90% of total production of kewda perfume in the production of kewda perfume in the country with estimated annual country with estimated annual turnover of Rs. 35-45 crores is being turnover of Rs. 35-45 crores is being done in the Ganjam District of Odisha.done in the Ganjam District of Odisha.

PROCESSING TECHNOLOGYPROCESSING TECHNOLOGY

Hydro distillation technology is still in use for Hydro distillation technology is still in use for distillation of kewda flower oil. distillation of kewda flower oil.

Kewda water, attar and absolute oil i.e Rooh Kewda water, attar and absolute oil i.e Rooh are prepared by distillation of ripe spadices. are prepared by distillation of ripe spadices. Distillation is carried out in the fire heated still, Distillation is carried out in the fire heated still, using equipment of tradition type which are using equipment of tradition type which are preferred over improved ones and existing preferred over improved ones and existing method is stated to be the cheapest of all other method is stated to be the cheapest of all other methods and quality of the oil is also better.methods and quality of the oil is also better.

Fresh flowers after removing green Fresh flowers after removing green spinulose spathes, if any and the pointed spinulose spathes, if any and the pointed tips are removed then charged in a big tips are removed then charged in a big copper still (Deg) and water is added at the copper still (Deg) and water is added at the rate of 60 litres per 1000 flowers.rate of 60 litres per 1000 flowers.

Inverted over the still is an earthern pot Inverted over the still is an earthern pot (Handi) which is connected to the receiver (Handi) which is connected to the receiver vessel (Bhabhka) by a bent bamboo pipe vessel (Bhabhka) by a bent bamboo pipe (Chonga). (Chonga).

The receiver vessel which is also made The receiver vessel which is also made of copper contain sandalwood oil for of copper contain sandalwood oil for absorbing the aroma of kewda is kept absorbing the aroma of kewda is kept cool by partially submerging in water cool by partially submerging in water tank. tank.

The steam along with vapour of kewda oil The steam along with vapour of kewda oil passes over the sandal wood oil before passes over the sandal wood oil before condensing in the receiver vessel. condensing in the receiver vessel.

The aroma of kewda thus gets absorbed The aroma of kewda thus gets absorbed slowly in the sandalwood oil. Distillation is slowly in the sandalwood oil. Distillation is continued for 4 to 5 hours and then receiver continued for 4 to 5 hours and then receiver vessel is removed.vessel is removed.

Several grade kewda attar is prepared Several grade kewda attar is prepared depending upon the number of flowers depending upon the number of flowers distilled per kilogram of sandalwood oil distilled per kilogram of sandalwood oil which normally varies from 1000 to 10,000 which normally varies from 1000 to 10,000 but can go upto one lakh flowers. but can go upto one lakh flowers.

Attar in sandalwood oil of 10,000 flowers Attar in sandalwood oil of 10,000 flowers distilled into 5 kg of sandalwood oil called distilled into 5 kg of sandalwood oil called Dus Hazara. Dus Hazara.

Attar is being sold @ Rs. 20,000 to Rs. Attar is being sold @ Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 30,000 per litre. 30,000 per litre.

Kewda waterKewda water is prepared by distillation of is prepared by distillation of the flowers with water in similar manner and the flowers with water in similar manner and collecting the distillate in an empty receiver collecting the distillate in an empty receiver vessel. On an average 1000 flowers on vessel. On an average 1000 flowers on distillation yield about 10-18 litres of kewda distillation yield about 10-18 litres of kewda water. This is known as Ek Hazara.water. This is known as Ek Hazara.

Kewda AttarKewda Attar and water are packed in air and water are packed in air tight galvanized iron drums and transported tight galvanized iron drums and transported to Kannauj, Lucknow and other places of to Kannauj, Lucknow and other places of perfumery industry in northern India for perfumery industry in northern India for blending and manufacture of various types of blending and manufacture of various types of preparations. preparations.

Kewda oilKewda oil is extracted with the same is extracted with the same techniques by repeated the distillation of oil. techniques by repeated the distillation of oil. About one lakh flowers gives one kilogram of About one lakh flowers gives one kilogram of kewda oil and this oil is being sold @ Rs. kewda oil and this oil is being sold @ Rs. 2.25 to Rs. 2.50 lakhs per kg.2.25 to Rs. 2.50 lakhs per kg.

Unfortunately in absence of quality Unfortunately in absence of quality standard malpractices have reached standard malpractices have reached threatening proportions as no standard threatening proportions as no standard other than aroma is known for other than aroma is known for determining the quality of Attar or other determining the quality of Attar or other products of kewra. products of kewra.

Generally the evaluation of quality of Attar Generally the evaluation of quality of Attar and Rooh of kewra is being done on the and Rooh of kewra is being done on the basis of olfactory or by smelling by the basis of olfactory or by smelling by the experience persons in the trade experience persons in the trade

QUALITY CONTROL FACILITY

Efforts has been made by O/o DC(MSME), Efforts has been made by O/o DC(MSME), M/o MSME, Govt. of India and MSME-DI, M/o MSME, Govt. of India and MSME-DI, Cuttack to setup a quality control facility at Cuttack to setup a quality control facility at Behrampur which was setup based on the Behrampur which was setup based on the report prepared by the officers by MSME-report prepared by the officers by MSME-DI, Cuttack and the centre was setup under DI, Cuttack and the centre was setup under Cluster Development Programme in the Cluster Development Programme in the year 2001-02. year 2001-02.

This centre is now functioning as Extension This centre is now functioning as Extension Centre of FFDC Kannauj providing training Centre of FFDC Kannauj providing training and quality control services to the and quality control services to the enterprises engaged in this field. enterprises engaged in this field.

DIVERSE USE OF KEWRA PLANTDIVERSE USE OF KEWRA PLANT

1. THE INFLORESCENCE (MALE FLOWERS)1. THE INFLORESCENCE (MALE FLOWERS)

Production of kewra oil / attar / waterProduction of kewra oil / attar / water Anthers of male flowers are considered for Anthers of male flowers are considered for

curing diseases of blood.curing diseases of blood. The juice or the inflorescence is useful in The juice or the inflorescence is useful in

rheumatic arithritis in animals.rheumatic arithritis in animals. The tender buds are sometimes eaten raw The tender buds are sometimes eaten raw

or in a cooked form.or in a cooked form.

2. 2. LEAVESLEAVES

Used for covering huts, for making Used for covering huts, for making mats, cardage, hats and baskets.mats, cardage, hats and baskets.

The fibres present in the leaves can be The fibres present in the leaves can be utilised for papermaking.utilised for papermaking.

Therapeutically the leaves are very Therapeutically the leaves are very much valuable in the treatment of much valuable in the treatment of leprosy, smallpox, scabies and leprosy, smallpox, scabies and leucoderma. The tender leaves are leucoderma. The tender leaves are valuable in curing diseases of the heart valuable in curing diseases of the heart and brain.and brain.

3. 3. ROOTSROOTS

A good soil binder.A good soil binder. Long aerial roots contain very strong Long aerial roots contain very strong

fibres, which are mostly used for fibres, which are mostly used for making ropes and baskets. The fibres making ropes and baskets. The fibres are also useful for making high are also useful for making high quality handmade paper.quality handmade paper.

4. 4. KEWRA OILKEWRA OIL

Used as a stimulant.Used as a stimulant. AntispasmodicAntispasmodic Relieves headacheRelieves headache Anti RheumaticAnti Rheumatic..

5. 5. KEWRA ATTARKEWRA ATTAR

Blends with all types of perfumes.Blends with all types of perfumes. Used for scenting clothes, bouquets, Used for scenting clothes, bouquets,

lotions, cosmetics, soaps, hair oils, lotions, cosmetics, soaps, hair oils, tobacco, pan masala, agarbathi etc.tobacco, pan masala, agarbathi etc.

6. 6. KEWRA WATERKEWRA WATER

Used for flavouring of sweets, syrups, Used for flavouring of sweets, syrups, soft drinks etc. soft drinks etc.

Cures many skin diseases.Cures many skin diseases.

EXPORT POTENTIALEXPORT POTENTIAL

Kewda oil and its product is having Kewda oil and its product is having very good demand in Middle East very good demand in Middle East and Arabian countries which and Arabian countries which continues to be the big buyer of continues to be the big buyer of traditional natural perfume used in traditional natural perfume used in Pan Masala.Pan Masala.