Himachal Pradesh to become first state in India to have organized cultivation of Mulethi

Source: The post is based on the article “Himachal Pradesh to become first state in India to have organized cultivation of Mulethi” published in TOI on 23rd February 2023

What is the News?

Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in India to start the organized commercial cultivation of Licorice (Mulethi).

What is Mulethi?

Mulethi commonly known as licorice, is an important sweet-tasting perennial shrub.

It has a sweet taste due to the presence of glycyrrhizin, which is 50 times sweeter than sucrose. 

Suitable climate for cultivation: The plant thrives in a dry and sunny climate and is cultivated in subtropical and warm temperate regions.

Uses: It is used as a natural sweetener in herbal medicines, flavouring in candies and tobacco. 

– It is also used in traditional medicines for treating chest and lung diseases, pneumonia, bronchitis, kidney and heart diseases, coughs, low blood pressure, liver toxicity and pancreatic disorders.

Cultivation: Mulethi is grown mainly in Afghanistan, while minor producing countries include Pakistan, China, Nepal and India.

– India imports 8,047 tonnes of liquorice annually from Afghanistan, China and Nepal.To reduce these imports, India has started the organized cultivation of Mulethi.