Pulwama farmers experiment with Castor bean cultivation

Pulwama, Dec 08: Farmers in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district are exploring the cultivation of Ricinus Communis, commonly known as castor beans, on a small scale.
This emerging interest is primarily driven by the plant’s dual benefits as a landscaping addition and a source of oil-rich beans.
Gulzar Ahmad, a resident of Lelhara village in Kakapora area of Pulwama, said that many families have been growing this plant in their kitchen gardens for the past couple of years.
The plant has forked leaves resembling those of chinar in shape.
The mature plant looks like an ornament giving a pleasant look.
He said that some families discontinued this practice after some time due to a lack of proper knowledge about the plant.
“ The beans have a typical smell which many don’t find appealing,” he said.
Abdul Hamid, a resident of Tujan, has successfully grown castor plants for the first time in his village after obtaining seeds from a friend.
“I’m expecting to harvest around three kilograms of beans from a few plants,” Hamid said. Enthusiastic about its medicinal properties, he plans to expand cultivation next season.
Castor plants are mostly grown in India, China, and Brazil.
In temperate regions like Kashmir, the plant grows as annuals, attaining heights of up to 2.5 meters in a single season.
The plant’s large, fan-like leaves and spiny, colourful fruits make it a popular landscaping choice.
However, due to the toxicity of its seeds, their use requires caution and proper knowledge.
The oil obtained from castor beans is in high demand for various industries, including cosmetics, lubricants, and textiles.
Besides the oil has pharmaceutical and other industrial uses, including its role in manufacturing synthetic resins, plastics, and varnishes.
The seeds, however, contain ricin, a potent toxin, making careful handling essential.