Bhubaneswar: Tribal women in the remote Kotia region of Odisha have begun cultivating German chamomile, a high-value medicinal crop, to improve their livelihoods and income security.
The initiative is being supported by the Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS) and the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), leveraging the region’s favourable climate and soil conditions. Chamomile oil, extracted from the flowers, commands a global market price of around ₹40,000 to ₹50,000 per kilogram, making it a lucrative alternative to traditional crops.
Koraput district, known for its organic agricultural practices, is witnessing diversification of its farming landscape through this project. The cultivation of chamomile is expected to provide a sustainable and value-added income source for tribal communities, particularly empowering women through participation in commercial cultivation and processing activities.
-OdishaAge
