Believing it as ‘Kalpvriksha’ the tribal people used to worship Sulphi, as it has not only become a vital part of their life but a strong source of their income also. As the trees have been affected by insects for some time, the agriculture scientists of Chhattisgarh, in association with scientists from Kerala have been searching for its reason and solution.
The issue was deeply deliberated at the meeting on ‘Thaad’ crop, organised under the joint aegis of Indira Gandhi Agriculture University and Indian Council of Agriculture Research. According to sources, the tribal plants Sulphi saplings at the time of birth of a daughter and give it as dowry at the time of her marriage. Moreover, the tribal earns Rs 25 to 30 thousand per year from one Sulphi tree. The products of Sulphi are consumed at local level, but for some time the trees get affected and the agriculture scientists are discussing its reasons and searching for its solution. They were also searching for possibility of jaggery preparation from Sulphi in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Maharashtra.
In cities Sulphi trees are planted for beautification, but Sulphi is used as a successful medicine for stone diseases. According to agriculture scientist involved in Sulphi research work in Jagadalpur Rajaram Bhanwar, with the protection and preservation of Sulphi, the financial condition of the tribal could be made strong. He said that at present the tribal people in Bastar have been producing Sulphi without any management support. The short Sulphi becomes productive in eight years, whereas, long Sulphi in 15 years and start giving Rs 25 to 30 thousand income per year to its owner, he added. But, he said, for some years, Sulphi trees were being destroyed by insects. On research conducted with the assistance of the agriculture scientists from Kerala, it was revealed that insects ‘Oxisporum Phyjiorium’ were destroying the trees and search for its solution is on , he added. He said, like Sri lanka, efforts were being made to upgrade the methods to make jaggery and toffee from Sulphi.