Uttarakhand seeks to reverse migration with Rudraksh farming
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The Uttarakhand government in India directed its Horticulture Department to develop a plan for cultivating Rudraksh trees, the source of prayer beads, to create new income for residents and slow the outflow of people from hill districts.
The move follows a report from a government delegation that visited Nepal to study their Rudraksh farming practices.
The delegation found that Uttarakhand's climate and soil are well-suited to growing Rudraksh, and that the crop addresses issues driving migration, such as wildlife damaging other crops and low income from agriculture. The government hopes to capitalize on strong demand for Rudraksh, particularly from China, which currently imports the majority of the world’s supply. The presentation to the Chief Minister noted that China’s 2025 estimated imports are $100,800,000, while India’s imports are $20,140,000.
The plan includes using a rural employment program to fund initial labor costs and providing free or subsidized saplings to farmers. However, officials acknowledge challenges, including the time it takes for Rudraksh trees to mature, six to eight years before fruiting, and the risk of confusing Rudraksh with a similar-looking but less valuable species. The government envisions a long-term plan to cultivate 10,000 hectares of Rudraksh by 2047, creating jobs and involving tens of thousands of farmers.
