Scope of Lac as Enterprise Development in Jharkhand

The present study explores the role of Lac in sustaining livelihoods in Khunti division of Jharkhand by interviewing selected households in the district. Stratified random sampling technique was employed for selection of households. The study reveals that Lac cultivation has the potential to contribute to the local livelihoods provided the existing production and marketing constraints are overcome. Kusmi Lac should be given the top priority followed by RangeeniBer and Palash. The value chain inefficiencies have also been highlighted in the study along with practical implications. The result of the study also indicates that most employment was generated by the wage sector followed by Lac cultivation.