What could two vastly different communities—one in the Western Ghat highlands of Kerala and the other in the plains of Chhattisgarh—have in common? The answer is lemongrass.
Lemongrass is a tall aromatic grass native to Southeast Asia that grows well in poor soil where other crops might fail, making it a reliable source of income for small-scale farmers. In India, it thrives in the South and Northeast.
Prized for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, diuretic, and detoxifying properties, it is a valued ingredient in medicines, cosmetics, cleansing agents, and cooking.
When farmers in Chhattisgarh faced agricultural uncertainty, researchers and students from Amrita University’s Live-in-Labs® program suggested lemongrass as a viable alternative to their rain-dependent rice and lentil crops. Fast-growing and drought-resistant, lemongrass proved ideal.
With support from the Government of India’s CSIR-CMAP research institute—which provided planting material, technical expertise, and processing infrastructure—and Amma’s initiatives working alongside the farmers, over 200 acres came under cultivation. A village distillation unit was installed, allowing farmers to process the oil independently and keep more of their earnings.
In Wayanad, lemongrass grows wild and has long been central to tribal life. Families used wood-fired distillation units to extract essential oil for income—until the 1990s, when environmental regulations restricted wood burning and their livelihoods vanished almost overnight. Live-in-Labs® found a solution: a solar-powered steam distillation unit requiring no firewood, designed and installed by Amrita University students with Amma’s guidance.
The young tribal women stepped forward to operate the machinery and manage production, becoming members of AmritaSREE Self-Help Groups. They revived their ancestral livelihood, reclaimed their independence, and now supply high-quality lemongrass oil for Amritapuri’s Ayurvedic aromatherapy products with profits flowing directly back to their community.
Amma says, “When humanity serves Nature, Nature serves humanity.” It is a timeless connection that brings about a mutual, compassionate relationship with the land. These two stories show exactly why.
