BHU: Indigenous Steam Distillation Unit for Medicinal and Aromatic Oil Extraction

Mirzapur: Achieving a significant milestone in agricultural innovation and rural empowerment, the Rajiv Gandhi South Campus (RGSC) of Banaras Hindu University has successfully commissioned a state-of-the-art, indigenously developed steam distillation unit. This facility is dedicated to scientifically extracting high-quality medicinal and aromatic substances from medicinal and aromatic plants.

This project, a hallmark of collaborative expertise, was led by Prof. B.M.N. Kumar, Professor In-charge of RGSC, BHU, and executed by Dr. Shashidhar K. S., Farm In-charge, and the Farm Management Committee. The technical and horticultural design was initiated under the expert guidance of Dr. Bipin Kumar Singh, Guest Faculty of Horticulture at RGSC.

This multi-purpose unit is a revolutionary step for the agricultural community, capable of efficiently processing plants like Palmarosa, Geranium, Mentha (Mint), Tulsi (Holy Basil), Rose, Lavender, Citronella, Jasmine, Vetiver, and even Sandalwood. It converts locally grown biomass into valuable medicinal and aromatic elements, creating new economic possibilities and reducing post-harvest losses.

Key Features & Benefits for Stakeholders:

• Empowering Farmers: This facility is a boon for local producers. Farmers can now get their aromatic crops processed at RGSC, BHU, for a minimal, fixed charge, bringing transparency, affordability, and value-addition to their doorstep.
• Extensive Processing Capacity: With a 5-quintal (5oo kg) per batch capacity, this unit is designed for efficiency, enabling large-scale processing that meets practical agricultural scales.
• Promoting Sustainable & Localized Economy: By establishing local processing, this initiative reduces dependency on distant markets, ensures fair prices for producers, and promotes ecological and economic stability by encouraging the cultivation of high-value, low-water aromatic crops.
• Centre for Learning & Innovation: Beyond commercial extraction, this unit will function as an active research and skill development centre, providing practical training in advanced agro-processing technologies to students, farmers, and entrepreneurs.

The successful commissioning of this unit was attended by Farm In-charge Dr. Shashidhar and members Dr. Triyugi Nath, Dr. Kanchan Padwal, Dr. Savita Devangan, Dr. Kaustubh Kishor Saraf, Dr. Kruti Mandal, Dr. Ajit Singh, Dr. Alok Singh, Dr. Abhinav Singh, Dr. Vipin Singh, Dr. Girish Tantuway, Dr. Ajit Kumar, and Dr. Pramod Kumar Prajapati. The project also acknowledges the foundational contributions of former Farm Superintendent, Dr. Rajeev Tripathi.

Prof. B.M.N. Kumar emphasized the vision behind the project: "This initiative embodies BHU's core mission of translating academic knowledge into tangible community benefit. By democratizing access to essential oil extraction technology, we are directly enabling farmers to increase their income, adopt sustainable agriculture, and strengthen the regional economy. It is a concrete step toward realizing the vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Krishi' (Self-Reliant Agriculture)."

About Rajiv Gandhi South Campus (RGSC), BHU:

Rajiv Gandhi South Campus is a premier extension campus of Banaras Hindu University, committed to excellence in teaching, cutting-edge research, and impactful community extension activities. Its focus is on addressing contemporary challenges in agriculture, technology, and sustainable rural development.