Lemongrass Lemongrass (India)

Harvest and Production Process

Lemongrass is a perennial grass and is usually harvested four times per year. It requires little groundwater, so it grows quite well in many parts of India. During the harvest, the grass is cut to the ground by hand using sickles, left to dry in the field, then collected the next day. When the grass is collected, it is tied into bundles, put in an oxcart, and then driven to the distillation facility. Lemongrass that has already been steam distilled for the essential oil can be used to fuel the boiler used to generate the steam for the distillation process.

Our lemongrass is grown by small-scale farmers in India. The average farmer has 1 acre of land. While some of these farmers continue to grow crops like wheat, potatoes, and rice, diversifying their crops with lemongrass is more profitable. Because of lemongrass’s high value, it offers farmers an opportunity to increase their income without increasing the amount of land they work.

Building Supplier Capacity

Our sourcing partner has worked with an organization that helps smallholder farmers to improve their livelihood by increasing their income from agricultural activities. Among their numerous projects across India, they worked with smallholder farmers to introduce high-value crops (particularly lemongrass) to their land. This was done by facilitating trainings and providing farmers with market opportunities, especially for new crops introduced. Through this partnership, doTERRA has contributed to setting up distillation stills in the region to provide farmers with easy access to distillation units.

doTERRA’s partnership with our sourcing partner and this organization has helped smallholder farmers in India increase their income through expanded capacity, improved farming techniques, increased yields, improved efficiencies, and strengthened productivity. With the added income from working with a value-add crop like Lemongrass instead of, or in addition to, traditional crops, farmers are able to earn an income to support their family’s basic needs.

Social Impact

The doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation has supported the communities of lemongrass farmers and harvesters through a few initiatives. In 2019, donations funded the construction of school bathrooms for the girls attending a local high school. Over a few years, donations have also funded women’s health training from the Days for Girls organization which culminates with the distribution of menstrual kits for the girls in attendance.