CSIR succeeds in cultivating heeng in India

Science & Technology Science

Posted by AI on 2025-06-10 07:54:06 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-22 06:21:41

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CSIR's Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT) in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh has successfully cultivated heeng (asafoetida) in India for the first time. This is a significant development as until early last decade, India relied on imports of this valuable spice, used in cooking and medicinal purposes, and is native to Afghanistan and some parts of Iran.

The government launched a national effort to promote the indigenous cultivation of the crop, led by the IHBT, which successfully carried out the research and developmental activities on a mission mode.IHBT began research in 2012, and after extensive research on suitable agrotechnologies and soil management, the institute succeeded in the flowering and seed set of the crop for the first time in the country at Palampur on May 28, 2025, paving the way for its cultivation success in India.

Dr. Sanjay Kumar, Director of IHBT, expressed his gratitude for the institute's scientists and researchers for their dedicated efforts in cultivating this valuable plant in the region, marking a significant achievement for the institute and the nation. Dr. Kumar believes that the institute has set a precedent for similar initiatives in the future.

This landmark success in cultivating heeng in India is a significant achievement for the country and highlights the expertise and resources of CSIR-IHBT in advancing traditional crops for the benefit of the nation's economy and culinary heritage.

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