Farmers cold to rising demand for flaxseed

Flaxseed or linseed (Alsi or Teesi), a popular traditional food and remedy, may be gaining ground among urban consumers due to its huge health benefits, but the demand in cities has failed to enthuse farmers.

Its area under cultivation declined from nearly 10 lakh hectares in early 1990s to around 3 lakh hectares in 2015-16, prompting the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to take multiple measures to motivate farmers towards cultivation of this wonder seed.

"It is quite unfortunate that farmers are gradually withdrawing from cultivation of flaxseed despite its growing demand," said BB Singh, assistant director general of ICAR, while attributing this to the absence of assured price to farmers and disorganised nature of farming. He however said that ICAR has taken note of it and has been working hard to reverse the trend.

ICAR has recently opened a value addition centre at Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune, to pursue the basic and strategic research. It has also started training programme and front-line demonstrations for farmers to create awareness in all the 16 flaxseed-growing states amid high domestic demand due to its huge health benefits.

Flaxseed can be consumed both in powder form or as oil for cooking or in salads. "Around two tablespoon of flaxseed, preferably ground, can be very beneficial, particularly among vegetarians," says Dr Anoop Misra, a leading endocrinologist and chairman, Fortis C-DOC.

Apart from Omega-3, flaxseed is also rich in proteins, magnesium and vitamins, particularly vitamin B1, which provide multiple health benefits and are good for overall physical development, said nutritionist Parul Khurana at SCI International Hospital.

Fibre of the flax plants is used in textile. Linen is a natural fibre which is made from the stalk of flax plant. It is being widely used in the textile industry in India. Though the country does not need to import flaxseed for consumption as food item or remedy, it has to import its fibre in large quantities from European countries and Canada.

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