Sal seeds, an untapped resource in India

Across central India, around 30 million forest dwellers, mostly tribal people, depend on the seeds, leaves and resins from Sal trees (Shorea robusta) for their livelihood. Sal seeds are crucial because people collect them in May and June when other sources of income are limited – after Kendu (Diospyros melanoxylon) leaves have been harvested and before the agricultural season.

Sal seeds have many commercial uses. They are processed into fat and the oil is used in global food and cosmetic industries; it is mostly exported to Europe as a substitute for cocoa butter; de-oiled seeds are also used in cattle feed.

Incomes are low, however. Due to the cumbersome collection process, a person can harvest only 8-10 kilos of seeds a day, worth about 50 rupees and far less than the minimum wage. Current studies show that schemes such as the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme – which provide higher wages – are reducing the number of people collecting sal seeds.

Sal seeds have many commercial uses. They are processed into fat and the oil is used in global food and cosmetic industries

Local processing could increase the value of sal seeds, but there are few incentives to start enterprises. Little technology is available and enterprises have suffered from unsustainable harvests and post-harvest methods. Legal requirements regarding the quality of sal fat used in domestic food processing limit these enterprises; delayed shipments reduce the value of seed products.

Developing livelihoods dependent on non-timber forest products, such as sal seeds, should be a part of the Indian government’s welfare function. It lacks a clear focus and mandate on this, however.

• Efforts to develop the skills of primary collectors should receive special attention, for example, in negotiating with traders and using technology.
• Studies on sal forests in different areas could help to determine their ecological status and enable the development of sustainable silvicultural systems.
• There should be inter-state and national coordination on policy reforms regarding trade barriers and quality requirements (such as pesticide and fatty acid content). These currently limit economic opportunities from sal seed collection.

Sal seeds could provide effective livelihoods support for poor people when few alternative natural resource based strategies are available.

Sanjoy Patnaik
Regional Centre for Development Cooperation, A-68, Sahid Nagar, Bhubaneswar, 751 007, India
T +91 674 2545250
F +91 674 2545252
mailto:sanjoypatnaik@yahoo.com