New khus, turmeric varieties to be out today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release new varieties of turmeric and vetiver, popularly known as “khus”, in Delhi on Monday.

Both these varieties were developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) in Lucknow.

Monday, September 26, also happens to be the foundation day of CSIR.

Senior scientist A.K. Gupta told reporters that a team of 10 CIMPAP scientists developed a high-yielding, curcuminoid-rich variety of turmeric, named CIM-Pitamber.

“The variety has been developed after eight years of research and the curcuminoid content is 12.5 per cent more than the existing variety,” he said.

Curcuminoid, a substance derived from turmeric, is widely thought to have anti-cancer properties, and is also anti-inflammatory, anti-ageing, anti-diabetic and has several other medicinal properties.

CIM-Pitamber will have 50 per cent increased yield than the existing varieties of turmeric, and its cultivation will benefit farmers. This variety is also tolerant to the leaf blotch disease that affects turmeric.

Scientist R.K. Lal, meanwhile, explained that the new variety of vetiver, called CIM-Samriddhi, has been developed after five years of research. It has 20 per cent higher essential oil yield over the best existing variety of vetiver.

The vetiver (khus) oils are used in the perfumery and cosmetics industries. The variety will result in profits of Rs 1.5 lakh in 10-12 months with 30 kg per hectare oil yield.

CIMAP director Anil Kumar Tripathi said that the institute would receive an award for innovation in rural development on the occasion.