Scientists at CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource, Palampur (IHBT), are on a mission to grow heeng in India.
The first sapling has been planted in Himachal Pradesh’s Kwaring village in Lahaul valley.
- Ferula asafoetida is a herbaceous plant of the umbelliferae family.
- It is a perennial plant whose oleo gum resin is extracted from its thick roots and rhizome.
- The plant stores most of its nutrients inside its deep fleshy roots. Asafoetida is endemic to Iran and Afghanistan, the main global suppliers.
- It thrives in dry and cold desert conditions.
- Asafoetida, or heeng, is a common ingredient in most Indian kitchens –– so much so that the country imports Rs 600 crore worth of this pungent flavoured herb every year.
- The consumption of heeng is the highest in our country but it is still not produced in India.
- Government data states that India imports about 1,200 tonnes of raw heeng worth Rs 600 crore from Iran, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.
(Source: Indian Express)
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