CIMAP, a laboratory controlled by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, had started a lemongrass plantation in Nabarangpur (Odisha) a couple of years ago, on an experimental basis.
- At present, lemongrass is grown across 300 acres of land in Nabarangpur.
- Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a tall, perennial grass in a class of about 45 species of grasses native to the tropical and sub-tropical climates of Asia, Australia and Africa.
- India is the highest producer of lemongrass (producing over 2 million pounds per year), where it is cultivated along the mountain range of the Western Ghats and beside the foothills of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim in the Himalayan mountains.
- Lemongrass has red base stems and can grow up to 10 feet in its favored habitat. The greatest time of growth for lemongrass is during the summer in moist, rich soil.
- The lower stalk of the lemongrass is widely used as an herb in cooking in Asian cuisine.
- The oil extracted from lemongrass can be used for several different household purposes. The characteristic bright citrus smell of the oil makes its beneficial for scenting soaps, detergents and insect repellent.
- The major use of lemongrass oil is as a source of citral, which is a popular ingredient in perfumes, cosmetics and beverages.
- Lemongrass oil is most often used as a natural pest repellent in gardens to ward off insects.
- Lemongrass oil also makes a good preservative. In India it is applied to the ancient palm-leaf manuscripts.
- In African and Latin American cultures, lemongrass is frequently used (fresh or dried) to make tea.
- When the animals ate lemon grass, however, they immediately vomited. The distinct odour of aromatic plant species such as lemongrass, citronella, and vetiver grass repel elephants.
