SUMAN K SHRIVASTAVA
Ranchi, September 19: The National Institute of Secondary Agriculture (NISA), which celebrates its centenary year tomorrow, has come a long way covering a journey of 100 years and witnessing many transitions. At the same time, the institute, rechristened thrice, has innovated uses of lac, a natural resin, which has been used in medicine, dyeing of fabrics and cosmetic purposes since Vedic times.
However, before 1900 AD, lac production in the country was highly unorganised and unscientific.
Govt set up committee on lac in 1920
So, the then Government of India set up an enquiry committee headed by H. A. F. Lindsay, ICS and C. M. Harlow, IFS in 1920.
Following their recommendations in 1921, the lac traders of that time organised themselves into a private registered body, the Indian Lac Association for Research. The purpose was to promote improved methods of lac cultivation and manufacture of shellac using scientific research, experimental cultivation, and the dissemination of knowledge.
To achieve these objectives, the association decided to establish the Indian Lac Research Institute (ILRI).
In October 1923, Dorothy Norris took over as the founding director and biochemist. At that time, 90% of lac production came from Chotanagpur, Odisha, Bihar and some adjoining districts of Central, Bengal and the United Provinces.
Ranchi was focal point of lac-producing states
As the focal point of all these provinces and keeping in mind the production capacity of Chhotanagpur, it was decided to establish the institute in Ranchi under the association’s governance.
The association acquired 110 acres of land at Ranchi outskirts from the provincial government to establish it with a small experimental farm.
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The foundation stone was laid by Sir Henry Wheeler, the then Governor of Bihar and Orissa (now Odisha), on September 20.
Jharkhand contributes 54.60% of lac production
Notably, Jharkhand happens to be a major producer of lac, contributing to almost 54.60% of the total production in the country. In Jharkhand, Khunti ranks fourth in terms of lac production.
Varieties of lac produced in Khunti includes rangini and kusmi lac hosted on Ber and Kusum tree.
Lac got status of agriculture in 2023
No wonder, in April 2023, the Jharkhand cabinet approved giving lac cultivation the status of agriculture in the state. This decision is expected to help about 400,000 families, especially tribal communities, who are involved in lac cultivation.
ILRI takes shape
The construction of Biochemical and Entomological Laboratories began in 1924 and started functioning in August 1925. The experimental lac factory started in May 1930.
Lac Cess Act passed in 1930
On the recommendation of the Royal Commission on Agriculture (1927-28), a new Lac Cess Act was passed in 1930, which created a fund for the improvement and development of the cultivation, manufacture, and marketing of Indian Lac. This Act established the Indian Lac Cess Committee on August 1, 1931, which took over the institute from the Lac Association. The High-Tension Laboratory for research work on the electrical properties of lac was built in 1938. The first two field stations at Damoh (Madhya Pradesh.) and Jhalda (West Bengal) were started in July 1957.
Indian Lac Cess Committee abolished in 1966
The Government of India abolished the Indian Lac Cess Committee in March 1966, and the ILRI came into direct administrative control of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi on April 1, 1966.
ILRI renamed IINRG in 2007
After Jharkhand was created in 2000, it was strongly realised the involvement of the tribal community in yet another important minor non-forest timber produce, ‘the Gums and the Resins’ of plant origin, for their livelihood.
Recognising the importance of other natural resins and gums, which are cultivated and collected in the Indian subcontinent and are of tremendous industrial importance in divergent industries and export markets, the governing body of ICAR Society renamed the institute as Indian Institute of Natural Resins and Gums (IINRG) on September 20, 2007. All natural gums and resins were brought under the revised research mandate of the Institute.
IINRG renamed as NISA in 2022
Again, to meet the Sustainable Development Goal, India shifted its focus to the development of Secondary Agriculture which has a bearing on the optimal use of the produce (main as well as by-product) from primary agriculture and farm incomes.
So, the Governing Body of the ICAR Society rechristened IINRG as the National Institute of Secondary Agriculture (NISA) on September 27, 2022.
NISA’s mandate
According to NISA Director Dr Abhijit Kar, the institute aims to transform conventional linear agriculture into a circular one for achieving bio-economy through need-based augmentation of agri-bioresources through intrinsic recycling and feedback loops of traditional agriculture for more sustainable resource use at lower cost. “It also aims to enhance the existing value chains; create new ones; and ensure value shift towards production catchments through downstream agro-processing interventions,” he added.
The director further said the institute is working to make agriculture and allied activities sustainable by reducing its impact on climate change through enhanced resource reuse and recycling. “It is also future-proofing agriculture by generating new income streams through rural industrialisation and linkages to new sectors,” he signed off.
