Minister for Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Giriraj Singh to Address One Day National Workshop on Cactus for Green Economy in Watershed Projects

Minister for Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Giriraj Singh, is set to address the one-day National Workshop on ‘Cactus for Green Economy in Watershed Projects’ through a Video Conference on December 22. The event is organized by the Department of Land Resources (DoLR) at Bharat Mandampam, New Delhi, to promote cactus cultivation and explore its economic potential in various sectors.

Cactus, known for its resilience and minimal water requirements, is being considered as a viable option for cultivation on rainfed and degraded lands. The workshop, which will bring together experts, entrepreneurs, innovators, and government representatives, aims to foster discussions on promoting cactus cultivation for economic purposes, linking backward and forward linkages.

While cactus cultivation is presently limited to fodder use in the country, the DoLR is keen on expanding its economic applications, such as fuel, fertilizer, leather, and food production. The workshop will focus on creating awareness, publicizing the benefits, and promoting cactus cultivation by ensuring the availability of quality plantation material, implementing ideal eco-system practices, and establishing marketing avenues.

Under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme 'Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (WDC-PMKSY),' the DoLR has issued guidelines for the promotion of spineless cactus cultivation in watershed projects. The initiative aims to undertake cactus plantation on a large scale, with a tentative minimum target of 10,000 hectares.

International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) has successfully experimented with cactus biomass and cow dung in a bio-digester, reporting a significant generation of bio-gas containing approximately 65% methane. Inspired by this, the DoLR is initiating larger pilot projects for bio-gas generation using cactus as feedstock.

A pilot study conducted at the National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, revealed that 3 kg of cactus produces 3.38 sq. feet of bio-leather. This bio-leather can be used to create eco-friendly products such as chappals, bags, and shoes.

Beyond leather, cactus offers sweet, juicy, and nutritious fruits, used in various traditional foods, including jams, juices, nectars, dried fruit, juice concentrate, syrups, and liquors. Cactus cladodes serve as low-cost green fodder for livestock in arid and semi-arid areas, enhancing the quality of milk and meat due to their rich vitamins and minerals.

It is anticipated to stimulate collaboration among industry stakeholders, experts, and state governments, fostering a roadmap for the sustainable promotion of cactus cultivation in arid and semi-arid regions. The initiative aligns with the broader goal of doubling farmers' incomes and promoting economic activities while contributing to ecological conservation.