Rising demand for kewda oil a blessing forpeople in Odisha’s Ganjam.

January 21, 2023

There is a rising demand for kewda oil from Odisha’s Ganjam region.
Ganjam kewda (Pandanus fascicularis) oil is steam-distilled from the flower of aromatic screwpine plant and used as an aromatic in the food industry and other sectors.
Male spike is attractive for its characteristic aromatic odour, whereas female spike is odourless and develops into a woody drupe.
It is registered under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 by the Government of India.
The flower is harvested from around 5,000 hectares in the district. Its oil is produced in Ganjam, Chatrapur, Chikiti and Rangeilunda blocks of the district.
For around 200,000 people living in 220 villages of the district, it is the main source of income. The farmers and collectors receive an advance from Ganjam’s oil makers who buy the flowers from them during June to September — the harvesting season.
An oil maker needs 30,000 flowers to extract a litre of kewda oil.
Price of a litre of kewda oil has increased to Rs 5 lakh from Rs 4.5 lakh last year.