Sindoor Farming Shines in Saharanpur with 'Operation Sindoor'

 

A unique agricultural initiative, ‘Operation Sindoor’, launched by the Indian Army along the Indo-Pakistan border, has now started bearing fruit in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The campaign is not only a strategic move but also a step towards reviving India’s traditional, cultural, and Ayurvedic practices through farming of the Sindoor (Bixa Orellana) plant.

In the village of Yusufpura in Saharanpur, farmers have begun cultivating Sindoor with growing enthusiasm. The plant, commonly found in South American countries, produces fruit that contains a natural red pigment. This pigment is used in making traditional Sindoor (vermilion) as well as lipsticks, powders, and natural dyes.

Why It’s Unique

• Natural and chemical-free:Sindoor from this plant is free from harmful chemicals, unlike synthetic variants.
• Commercial value: The extract, known as annatto, is used globally as a natural food and cosmetic colorant.
• High demand in South America & Maharashtra: The plant is especially valued in cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.
• Grows well in Indian climate: After successful trials in Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra, the plant is proving adaptable to Saharanpur’s agro-climate as well.

Farmer Benefits

Farmers are reporting good yield and rising demand for the product. With support from local horticulture officers and agri-entrepreneurs, this crop is expected to become a high-return alternative to traditional farming in the region.