Rajasthan occupies the top position in the country in henna production even though its cultivation is largely confined to Sojat and the surrounding areas in Pali district. More than 90 per cent of the production comes from Sojat. Farmers in the area have been cultivating the crop for centuries.

While there is no "scientific or agro-climatic" reason for henna being grown in Sojat and the nearby areas, it is commonly believed that it has become a fashion over the years to undertake its cultivation. "The crop is somewhat traditional" says Purshottam Agarwal, director of agriculture.

Research studies have been ordered by the government for the first time so as toincrease the production per hectare and also the quality. And the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has also lent money to organise demonstration in the region with a view to educating the farmers for increasing the production.

The yield per hectare is currently put at a little over one tonne but Agarwal is confident that if some corrective steps are taken the same could go up. The area is quite fertile and the farmers are also receptive to the new ideas.

The research will suggest the distance between the plants and the lines. It will also suggest the number of henna plants that could be taken up in one hectare of land. The requirement of fertilisers will also be determined. How the plants could be protected from the pests and diseases will also be a part of the research.

Last year the area covered by henna in Rajasthan was put at 22,617 hectares and compared to the previous year the increase in the area was quite large. The total production of henna was put at 21,000 tonnes. As it is a cash crop andperennial, the farmers have developed keen interest in it.

From Sojat and some areas in the Jodhpur region, henna powder is exported to Middle-east and other countries. As the quality of the henna of Sojat is quite high, it is in high demand in Middle-east.

No less than 100 industrial units engaged in henna processing are located in and around Sojat and the exports are made directly.

Henna is grown in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab as well. But the crop is not catching up in these states. Outside the country, henna powder is commonly used for hair colouring. It has also a cooling effect. Perfume is also manufactured from its oil.

In the retail market, the Sojat powder of henna is fetching a price ranging from Rs 15 to Rs 20 per kg depending on the quality. The Malwa variety of henna is quite popular. The beauty of the crop is that its harvesting could be taken up after two months of plantation and the life of plant is around 10 years. Studies are also being made about the mechanical harvesting ofthe crop so that the labour component could be minimised.

The dry leaves of henna is fetching a price ranging from Rs 400 to Rs 700 per quintal again depending on the quality.