India Plants First 'Heeng' Saplings in Lahaul-Spiti District of Himachal Pradesh

In an interesting agricultural development, scientists at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research- Institute of Himalayan Bioresource, Palampur (CSIR-IHBT) have introduced six varieties of heeng (Asafoetida) from Iran. Sanjay Kumar, Director, CSIR-IHBT planted the first sapling at Lahaul and Spiti district in Himachal Pradesh, on a trial basis. Scientists have also distributed the asafoetida plants to seven farmers in the valley. The National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi completed a thorough study under the Indian climatic conditions before the sapling was planted. Considered as one of widely used spices in Indian cuisines, India imports around 1200 tons of heeng worth Rs 600 crore from Afghanistan (90%), Iran and Uzbekistan. Also, India consumes around 50% of the total production of the pungent smelling herb. Asafoetida, an endemic spice from Iranian deserts and Afghani mountains, is a perennial plant which produces oleo-gum from roots after five years of planting.