Tripura University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT) to enhance lemongrass cultivation in the state under the national Aroma Mission. The initiative is expected to boost rural entrepreneurship, especially among women, and promote eco-friendly practices using science and technology. The MoU, signed on July 2, 2025, formalizes a collaborative partnership that brings together academic expertise, research capacity, and field-level engagement. The pact was inked between representatives of CSIR-IHBT and the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of Tripura University, with both institutions committing to joint research, farmer training, and the commercial scaling of lemongrass-based products.
Speaking exclusively to India Today NE, Prof. Shaon Ray Chaudhuri of the Department of Microbiology at Tripura University, who is also leading the outreach efforts, said, “This collaboration will provide critical handholding support to local farmers and help them transition to sustainable lemongrass cultivation.” The initiative is a part of the DST-SEED project, which aims to generate livelihood opportunities through scientific innovation. Already, the project is showing promising signs on the ground. Tripura University has initiated organic lemongrass cultivation with 24 women farmers in West Tripura, bringing underutilized land into productive use. These efforts are not only empowering local communities but are also encouraging the formation of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) that will take the lead in producing value-added products.
Beyond essential oil extraction, the project explores creative avenues for utilizing lemongrass by-products. These include the manufacturing of briquettes, cultivation of mushrooms using post-extraction biomass, and the production of handmade paper from lemongrass waste, reflecting an integrated zero-waste approach to agricultural entrepreneurship.A presentation at the MoU signing event showcased these field activities and emphasized the economic potential of lemongrass cultivation when linked with processing and marketing. Officials from CSIR-IHBT stressed the need to connect science with grassroots enterprise, and praised Tripura University’s proactive role in creating a holistic model that addresses both economic and ecological goals.
