Elevating India's Cinnamon Production

Cinnamon holds a pivotal role among hot spices in Indian cuisine, with hardly any household eschewing its use. Nutrition experts suggest that cinnamon not only enhances the flavor of garam masala but also boosts immunity. During the COVID-19 pandemic, its popularity soared both domestically and internationally. The exciting development in the cinnamon sector is India's upcoming significant increase in production.

Domestic Production Versus Imports

Historically, India has imported about 90% of its cinnamon, relying heavily on supplies from countries like Sri Lanka and Vietnam, with only 10% produced domestically. To change this dynamic, efforts are underway to expand cinnamon cultivation across various regions of the country.

Innovative Research in Himachal Pradesh

The Indian Institute of Bio Resource Technology (IHBT) in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, has been spearheading these efforts. After four years of dedicated research, IHBT now asserts that Himachal Pradesh could single-handedly satisfy the nation's cinnamon needs. Dr. Ramesh Chauhan from IHBT highlighted that India consumes about 50,000 tonnes of cinnamon annually. Out of which 45,000 tonnes are imported, and only 5,000 tonnes are produced in some southern states.

Expanding Cinnamon Cultivation

Dr. Chauhan shared insights from ongoing research that began in 2021, noting that cinnamon saplings have been planted across five cities in Himachal Pradesh, including Una, Bilaspur, Kangra, Sirmaur, and at the Palampur Institute itself. In 2022, the institute distributed 10,000 saplings to local farmers, initially sourced from Kerala. Cinnamon plants typically begin to yield produce four years after planting, and some of the early plants are now reaching maturity, promising the first crop harvest in Himachal Pradesh this year.

Optimal Conditions and Future Goals

Cinnamon thrives in coastal-like environments, ideally with temperatures ranging from 25 to 30 degrees Celsius and humidity between 70 to 80%. Areas around Pong Dam and Govind Sagar Lake in Himachal Pradesh provide such conditions, making them ideal for cinnamon cultivation. Currently, the crop spans nine hectares, with an initial target of expanding to 50 hectares. Himachal Pradesh alone possesses sufficient land to cultivate enough cinnamon to meet the entire country's demand.

A New Chapter for Indian Cinnamon

With these innovative agricultural practices, Himachal Pradesh is on track to transform India from a major importer of cinnamon to a self-sufficient producer. This shift not only promises to stabilize cinnamon supply within the country. But also enhances the economic prospects for local farmers in Himachal Pradesh.