Rajasthan's Wild Aak Plant Turns Into Source Of Income Through Fabric Innovation

Jaipur: Aak plant (Calotropis gigantea) grows on its own in the desert and is known as a weed which is cut and thrown away considered useless, but now it is emerging as a source of income in desert areas of Rajasthan as clothes are being made from the fibers of this Aak or Aakda.

International fashion designer and social worker of Rajasthan Ruma Devi's foundation started a campaign to collect this natural fiber from Barmer, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Jalore, Nagaur, Pali, Bikaner, Churu, Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Hanumangarh and other districts of Rajasthan.

Ruma Devi said “Union minister for Textile Giriraj Singh, finds it useful for the women of the self-help groups and farmers and said that the scientists of the Textile Ministry and the Northern India Textile Research Association have given good results regarding this fiber.”

The cultivation of Aak plant is simple, and it gives sustainable, light, warm and fine fiber.

Aakpadia, a mango-like fruit which grows on Aak, is plucked green with its shell, inside which there is fiber and seeds. It has to be plucked carefully. Ruma Devi Foundation is providing free collection and storage training for this. At present, Aakpadia is being bought at Rs. 25 per kg and has become an extra source of income for the women and farmers.

Project Manager Gorang Manda said that this is a new crop option for farmers which does not require special cost and maintenance and can give more economic benefits. Once planted, the crop can be harvested for ten years and many products like sleeping bags, jackets, quilts have been made from this fiber.