HP Becomes First State to Begin Organized Cultivation of Mulethi

In a first, Himachal Pradesh has started growing liquorice (Mulethi). The distribution of planting materials among the farmers was done by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT).

The director of the institute, Dr. Sanjay Kumar on Monday stated that the planting material of "Mulethi" (Glycyrrhiza glabra) was given out for the first time. “India has a high demand for Mulethi. We don’t just use it as a spice but also in healthcare because of its’ medicinal properties. Most of our Mulethi has been imported from other countries but with the organized cultivation in Himachal Pradesh, we will produce our own.”

Mulethi is a sweet-tasting perennial shrub. The roots have a sweet taste due to the glycyrrhizin present which is 50 times sweeter than sucrose. Herbal medicines use Mulethi for its natural sweetness, as do herbal candies and tobacco. It is also used in traditional medicines against chest and lung diseases.

It is mainly grown in Afghanistan- while Pakistan, China, Nepal and India produce it in less quantities. We receive 8047 tonnes of liquorice from Afghanistan, China and Nepal every year. The import value of liquorice is large in India and therefore, the cultivation of mulethi will soon expand in the areas of Himachal Pradesh which are suitable for it. The distriacts shortlisted thus far are Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Kangra, Una, Solan and Sirmour.

The director also launched the “One Week- One Laboratory” program at CSIR-IBHT, Palampur from February 20-25, 2023; showing their agricultural technology to the world. Apart from Mulethi seeds, the planting material of various crops were also distributed to farmers belonging to different parts of Himachal.

The Chief Parliamentary Secretary of HP, Ashish Butail was present and led the inauguration. Dr. Sanjay further stated, “Our scientists have contributed immensely to ensure independence of farmers and entrepreneurs by developing agricultural techniques for crops like asafoetida, saffron, stevia, lilium, cinnamon. Aromatic crops like lavender and aromatic marigold were encouraged for production and distillation units were set up all across the state to process them.

“During this program, 37 premier institutes of CSIR showcased their successes, achieved by technological innovations. Our laboratories are open for a week for the general public, entrepreneurs, new start-ups so they can understand the research work done by scientists at CSIR,” He said.

During the event, Butai also asked the industries to invest in the state and provided assurance that the government would support the livelihood generation of the people.