Enhancing the Economic Condition of Poor Farmer Producers through promoting Kewda Cultivation: A case study of Ganjam District in Odisha

Abstract

Kewda, botanically known as Pandanus fascicularis lam is abundantly available in the coastal region of Ganjam district in Odisha(India) spreading over an area of 6,000 hectares. Its use as a bio-resource has been confined to Ganjam coast. The Keluapalli region of Rangailunda block and Agraram region of Chhatrapur of Ganjam district are famous for kewda cultivation and distillation in India. This region contributes more than 90 per cent of the total kewda flower production in the country. More than 20000 families depend upon this aromatic plant which provides essential oil as rooh and attar through distillation. Though paddy is the main source of agricultural income of the area but Kewda plays a dominant role in providing them economic opportunities as cash crop. The study on the economic aspects of kewda will prove to be a mean for enhancing their livelihood though various economic opportunities.