1.0 Product and its applications

Ajamoda (Trachyspermum ammi Linn. Sprague) is much used as a medical plant in Ayurvedic & Unani medicine. It is called in English as Bishop's Weed, Carum, Ajwan, Lovage; in Sanskrit as Yavani, Yavana, Yavanaka, Ajamoda, Ajamodika; in Hindi as Ajowanj, Ajwain; in Tamil as Omum; in Telugu as Omamu and in Kannada as Omu, Ajamoda.

English 'Ajwan' is just the Romanized spelling of the Hindi name ajvan. Most European languages have similar names, although the spelling is sometimes varied, e.g., in Dutch ajowan or German Adiowan. Hindi name can be traced back to Sanskrit yavanaka, which is derived from the adjective yavana Greek. Modern Northern and Southern Indian names like Gujarati yavano, Bengali jowan, Punjabi aijavain and Tamil omum have the same source. This suggests that the spice originated from the Eastern Mediterranean and arrived in India in course of the Greek conquest of Central Asia. The Sanskrit term yavana for Greece belongs to the same kin as Arabic al-Yunan. Another group of names for ajmoda is derived from Sanskrit ajamoda or ajamodika. Examples in modern Indian languages include Kannada ajamoda and Sinhala asamodagam.

Ajamoda is much valued for its antispasmodic, stimulant, tonic and carminative properties. It is administered in flatulence, atonic dyspepsia and diarrhoea, and often recommended for cholera. In the Unani system, ajmoda is used as a crude drug to enhance the body's resistance and is prescribed in amoebiasis. It is a potent antimicrobial agent.

Ajamoda is useful against diseases of the digestive tract and fever. Where unclean tap water can result in arbitrary complications, ajmoda often comes to the traveler's rescue. Just chew on spoonful of the fruits for a few minutes and wash down with hot water. In the West, thymol is used in medicines against cough and throat irritation.

It is also a popular kitchen spice in India. The strong aroma is enhanced by toasting or frying and goes well with potatoes or fish. Legumes are, however, the most important fields of application. In India where these dishes are popular since they provide a source of protein to the many vegetarians, they are commonly flavored with hot butter or edible oil frequently containing ajmoda. This seemingly simple preparation is much more sophisticated than sheer heat treatment, since most aroma compounds in spices are lipophilic and dissolve much better in fat than in water. Thus, frying in fat not only enhances the fragrance because of the high temperature, but also extracts the flavor to the fat, whence it can be dispersed throughout the food efficiently. Outside the Indian subcontinent, Ajmoda enjoys popularity in the Arabic world.

Ajmoda seeds are employed along with other spices and condiments in making pickles, confectionery and beverages. It is a good remedy for indigestion. A paste of the crushed fruit is applied externally for relieving colic pains. It is also used in lotions and ointments.

The seed oil is a major source of thymol, being present to the extent of 35-60%. Ajmoda oil is aromatic, stimulant and carminative. It possesses antimicrobial activity. The essential oil (2.5 to 5% in the dried fruits) is dominated by thymol (2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol, 35 to 60%); furthermore, ?-pinene, p-cymene, limonene and ?-terpinene have been found.

2.0 Market Potential

Exporters, buyers, processors, traditional practitioners, Ayurvedic, Unani and Siddha drug manufacturers throng the markets for procurement of this plant every year. Its domestic as well as export demands are quite large.

3.0 Basis and Presumption

a) The agricultural land and related infrastructure is available with the entrepreneur.
b) Prices are calculated as per the prevailing market rates.
c) The yields depend on proper implementation of package of practices.
d) Economics of cultivation greatly improves on scale of operation.
e) This activity provides tax-free high returns. Additionally a number of government support schemes are available. Latest provisions need to be checked up.
f) Market for medicinal plants is volatile and economics may vary from time to time.

4.0 Agri practices

It is cultivated in most parts of India. The plant is believed to have originated in Egypt. Although it is grown around the Mediterranean region and in South-West Asian countries such as Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan, ajmoda is chiefly produced in India. It is grown throughout the country, mainly in plains, but flourishes equally well at higher altitudes in the plateaus and the hills. It is produced in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Bihar and West Bengal.

Ajmoda is an erect, glabrous or minutely pubescent a profusely branched winter annual herb. The stems are striated; the leaves are rather distant, 2-3-pinnately divided, the segments linear. The flowers occur in terminal or seemingly-lateral pedunculate, compound umbels, white and small. The fruits are ovoid, muricate, aromatic cremocarps, greyish brown. The mericarps, which are the components of the fruit, are compressed, with distinct ridges and tubercular surface.

4.1 Soil & Climate

It is mainly grown as a winter crop in subtropical and temperate climate and as summer crop in temperate climates. It grows on any soil type but performs best in humus rich loamy soil. It is grown as a rain fed crop in heavy soils whereas it requires irrigation in light textured soils. It is basically a sun loving plant.

4.2 Land Preparation

The soil is reduced to a fine tilth by ploughing or digging repeatedly during September - October. The field is also weeded and heavily manured by FYM.

4.3 Propagation

It is generally propagated by seeds. Seeds are broadcast or drilled in rows 45 cm apart in November. Seed dose is 2.3-3.5 kg/ha. Irrigation is given immediately after sowing and later at 7-10 days interval. The seeds germinate in 7-14 days. Broadcast crop may be thinned to a spacing of 30-45 cm. N, P2O5, K2O and S are applied at 80,30,30,50 kg/ha, respectively for obtaining best yields. Flowering starts in 2 months time.

4.4 Fertilizer

For one hectare area, application of 80 kg Nitrogen, 30 kg each Phosphorus and Potash and 50 kg of Sulphur is recommended.

4.5 Irrigation

Irrigation is given immediately after sowing and subsequent irrigations are given at an interval of 15 days.

4.6 Weed control

Weeding is generally done twice.

4.7 Pest control

Collar rot caused by Sclerotium rolfsii is observed in some pockets, which is treated by common fungicides.

4.8 Harvesting

Harvesting is done in February-March when the flower heads turn brown. The plants are pulled out by the roots.

5.0 Post harvest operations  

5.1 Drying

The harvested plants are dried on mats on the threshing floor till moisture content is low enough for storage.

5.2 Threshing

The fruits are separated by carefully rubbing by hands / thrashed and winnowed to separate the clean seeds.

5.3 Oil distillation

The dried seeds are crushed and distilled to obtain the essential oil. Hydro or steam distillation is resorted to. Seeds lose the essential oil when stored for long time. On an average, the dry seeds contain 2-4% oil.

6.0 Yield

On an average about 1000 kg dry seed is obtained from an area of one hectare.

7.0 Economics of cultivation per hectare land per year

Duration: 3-4 months. Yield / ha: 1000 kg
Cultivation expenses: Rs.15,000
Gross returns @ Rs.55/ kg: Rs 55,000
Net Returns: Rs. 40,000

8 .0 Addresses of Some Dealers in Medicinal plants/ Planting material  

a. Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine,
Canal Road,
Jammu Tawi-180001

b. High Altitude Plant Physiology Research Centre,
HNB Garhwal University,
Shrinagar, Garhwal-246174

c. Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology,
Post Office Box No.6,
Palampur-176 061

d. Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants,
Near Kukrail Picnic Spot,
Lucknow-226015

e. North east Institute of Science & Technology,
Jorhat-785006 (Assam)

f. National Botanical Research Institute,
Rana Pratap Marg,
Lucknow-226001

g. Institute of Minerals & Materials technology,
Bhubaneswar-751013

h. Advanced Materials & Processes Research Institute,
Hoshangabad Road, Near Habibganj Naka,
Bhopal-462064

i. Forest Research Institute (ICFRE)
Dehradun-248006

j. NBPGR,
Pusa Campus,
New Delhi-110012

k. NBPGR, Regional Station,
Bhowali-263132
District Nainital

l. NBPGR, Regional Station, Phagli,
Shimla-171004

m. Cedmap,
60, Jail Road, Jahangirabad,
Bhopal (M.P.)

n. Tropical Botanical Garden and Research Institute,
Karimancode, P.O. Palode,
Thiruvananthapuram-695562 (Kerala)

o. KRD Musli Farm,10/47, Station Road, Rau,
Indore-453331 (M.P.)

p. Mittal Musli Farm and Research Centre,
Jamod, Jalgaon (Maharashtra)

q. Jeevan Herbs & Agro Farms
178,Keshav Ganj, Sagar (M.P.)

r. SSS Biotic.com
C/o biosourcing.com (P)Ltd.
A-41, Janpath, Ashoknagar
Bhubaneswar (Orissa)

s. Kasiraj Exports,
37, Santhai Road,
Tuticorin (TN)

t. A.Y. Agritec Private Limited
16-7-382/18, Azampura Masjid,
Hyderabad (A.P.)

u. Raj and Company
Contact: Mr. Vijay Kumar Jain
Behind Katju Market Near Parsi Mandir,
Neemuch 458441
Tel: 07423-221600;
Fax: 07423-225341
E-mail: rajspice@bom4.vsnl.net.in

v. Manvir Pharma Supply
E-2, P&T Colony 6, Patel Colony, Jamnagar
Tel: 0288-2750015;
Fax: 0288-2750015

w. Suman Trading Co.
10-2-32/1, Pamuvari Street Ramaraopet,
Kakinada 533004

x. Silpa Agro Farms Private Limited
Flat No. 204, 2nd Floor,
Firdous Kaveri Court, Taranaka Road,
Metuguda Secundrabad 500017
Tel: 27820291/08451-288319
E-mail: silpaagro@onebox.com

y. Atulya Herbs
Rajiv Juyal Road, Majra, Dehradun 248 171
Tel: +91 135 2620488;
Fax: +91 135 3124102
E-mail: asian@nde.vsnl.net.in; paritoshgulati@yahoo.com;
drmadanlal@sancharnet.in
Website: http://rajugulati.ebigchina.com

z. VEG Trading Company
106/12, Prakasam Street, Erode 638 001
Tel: +91 424 2223846;
Fax: +91 424 2218041
E-mail: vegnet@tasteefoods.com

Contact for more information:

Information Manager
TIMEIS Project
E-mail: timeis@ficci.com