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Article Mr. Kundan Kumar on "Psyllium: cultivation, benefits and global demand"

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Kundan Kumar

Psyllium: cultivation, benefits and global demand

Kundan Kumar, Business Development Manager, Kisan Agro, Village Dhabi, Gujarat, talks about psyllium, which is an important agricultural crop grown mainly in India under suitable climatic conditions. The cultivation process involves timely sowing, limited irrigation, and careful post-harvest handling. Rich in dietary fibre, it plays a key role in promoting overall health and wellness. Industrial applications have significantly increased their worldwide demand.


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Kisan Agro is one of the sister companies of Viral Spices, a 20-year-old organisation specialising in the processing and manufacturing of oilseeds and spices. The group also includes Farmvale Psyllium, a manufacturing facility based in Gujarat, dedicated to the processing of organic and conventional psyllium seeds, husk, and husk powder. The company serves multiple industries worldwide, including food, pet food, construction, and pharmaceuticals, and holds the necessary certifications, with all facilities being BRC certified. The group primarily focuses on organic agriculture, which accounts for 60–70% of its business, while also offering conventional products. Its major product range includes organic brown flax seeds, organic amaranth seeds, psyllium products, turmeric powder, chia seeds, fenugreek seeds, and a wide variety of whole and powdered spices.

We know psyllium is in great demand these days, and before we go ahead and discuss its cultivation process, benefits, or its applications worldwide, I would like to give you a brief idea about what psyllium is, so that after that, we will be able to discuss more about its cultivation. So, psyllium is a type of plant that is grown mainly in India. A different variety of psyllium is also grown in Iran and in some parts of Pakistan, but those are not usually used in other countries or in different applications because they are called black psyllium. So, it is black in colour. The psyllium that is produced or cultivated in India is the one that is used worldwide, and around 90–95% of the consumption of psyllium is exported from India worldwide. It is a type of herb plant, and the seeds of the psyllium plant are used. Its botanical name is Plantago ovata. The seeds of this plant are used to produce the husk and the powder. Psyllium is mainly grown in sandy soil that drains well and in a dry climate. Usually, harvesting is done about four months after the plants are planted. As I told you, the botanical name is Plantago ovata.

Psyllium sowing starts mainly in October and November, right after the Diwali festival. The farmers sow the seeds of psyllium. Early sowing is preferable because the most suitable time for sowing should be before the second week of November. That is the primary time. Anyone sowing before the second week of November is called early sowing. It is always good and helps in better growth of the seeds because any sowing that happens after the second week of November reduces the total growth period and also increases the risk of seed shattering during the pre-monsoon rains and towards seed maturity. So, the seeds might get scattered, especially before the harvest, as there are some pre-monsoon rains that usually damage the seeds, which actually did happen last year in 2023. So, as I told you, the ideal sowing time for psyllium should be before the second week of November. After the second week of November, if the sowing is done, it can also be noticed that the total crop yield might go down. Even if there is no damage to the seeds due to the rains, there can still be a drastic yield loss.

Talking about the climate required for an ideal psyllium crop, it requires a cool and dry season. Unseasonal rain and a high amount of dew deposition during the crop period might damage the seeds and affect the yields as well. Good drainage is essential for the cultivation of the seeds because if the sowing is done and there is no proper drainage for the water to flow down, the seeds might get damaged or the germination might not be proper. The reason it is grown in sandy regions is that psyllium does not require a lot of water. A very small amount of water is required. If there is too much water or no proper drainage, the seeds may be damaged, or germination may not occur properly. This is all about the cultivation of the psyllium crop.

The benefits of psyllium in India and its applications worldwide are huge. Psyllium is usually known for its high fibre content, and that is one of the reasons why it has been a major plant product used worldwide. It helps with various digestive problems like constipation. Psyllium absorbs water and makes stool easier to pass from the body. That helps in relieving constipation. It can also help lower cholesterol levels and control blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Many people also use psyllium in their diet for proper weight loss planning because it supports proper digestion. When you consume psyllium, you may not feel that your body requires food frequently. It helps in weight loss because it makes you feel full when you consume it. However, it is recommended that once a person consumes or uses psyllium in their diet, they should have a good amount of water intake because psyllium absorbs a lot of water. So, if you are including psyllium in your diet, there should be a proper amount of water intake in your body.

Psyllium has plenty of applications in India and worldwide. It has been used for many years, since ancient times, mainly for medicinal purposes in India, especially for digestive issues. People have been using it for that purpose. Nowadays, with proper research and information carried out in different parts of the world, psyllium is being used in different industries as well. Firstly, psyllium is used as a fibre supplement. For example, brands such as Metamucil are fibre supplements used in the United States of America and Europe. It is also used as a traditional medicine. Many food companies use psyllium in bread-making. It is used to produce low-carb breads, cereals, and other products to increase the fibre content of the product. In the food industry, it is also used in the bakery sector. It is used as a nutritional supplement for human consumption.

Efficient irrigation techniques

The irrigation practices required for psyllium cultivation are crucial, as psyllium should be grown in sandy soil and requires only light irrigation. Typically, irrigation is carried out three times during the crop cycle, with the first irrigation being essential at the time of sowing to support proper seed germination. Since psyllium does not require a large amount of water after germination, minimal watering is sufficient for healthy growth. This low water requirement is one of the main reasons why psyllium is commonly cultivated in sandy regions. Now we will discuss how the irrigation of the seeds is done. Light to slow irrigation flow of water is given immediately after the sowing of the seeds. For example, if the seeds are sown in the second week of November, then immediately, the irrigation of the field should be done. After the first irrigation is done, if it is noticed that there is slow or poor germination of the seeds even after six or seven days of sowing, a second irrigation should be done right away in order to make the seeds germinate in a more proper way. As I told you, this is mainly grown in sandy regions, especially in parts of Rajasthan and some parts of Gujarat as well. Most of the production or cultivation of psyllium is done in Rajasthan, where there are sandy loam soils. With sandy loam soils, around three irrigations are recommended. The first irrigation is done right after the sowing of the seeds. The second irrigation is done 30 days after the first irrigation, following seed planting. The third irrigation should be done around 70 days after sowing the seeds. In case the region is drier or the temperature is more humid, a fourth irrigation could be possible.

India as psyllium hub

India is the leading producer of psyllium across the globe, contributing around 95% of the world’s total output. Within India, the majority of cultivation takes place in Rajasthan, which accounts for approximately 80% of production, while Gujarat contributes around 20%. Although Rajasthan is the primary region for crop cultivation due to its suitable climatic conditions, most of the processing and manufacturing facilities are located in Gujarat. This regional distribution plays a significant role in supporting India’s strong presence in the global psyllium market.

Ensuring safe psyllium production

Psyllium cultivation generally faces minimal pest and disease issues because the crop is grown during the winter season when temperatures are low, and insect activity is limited. Since psyllium requires only about four months from sowing to harvest, the risk of major infestations is relatively low. However, as psyllium is widely used in the pharmaceutical and food industries, strict quality standards must be maintained. If pesticides are required, they should be organic in nature. The passage also highlights the importance of removing weeds and other plants growing near the psyllium crop, as they can increase PA and TA alkaloid content. High levels of these alkaloids can negatively affect crop quality and may pose health risks.

Best practices in sowing

An increase in yield in psyllium cultivation largely depends on timely sowing and proper crop management. Ideally, seeds should be sown immediately after the Diwali festival and before the second week of November. Early sowing allows the seeds more time to germinate and fully develop, resulting in better yield, especially since harvesting begins in the first week of April. We need to closely monitor the crop after sowing. If seeds do not germinate properly within a week, an additional irrigation should be carried out to support healthy growth and ensure improved productivity. Next, we will talk about the sowing methods and how this is done. Direct sowing of the seeds is carried out in the fields with a light sweeping of a broom or with a tree twig. That is how the sowing is carried out. While sweeping, it should be a one-way sweeping, which helps in the uniform germination of the seeds. It is advised and recommended that we should not bury the seeds of psyllium deeply into the soil because that does not help the seeds to grow better.

Harvesting and post-harvest

Most of the psyllium harvesting in India is carried out manually. It is recommended that harvesting take place after 10:00 a.m., as morning dew on the plants can cause the seeds to shatter and affect the quality of the harvest. Once the dew has dried, harvesting can be done more effectively and with fewer losses. After harvesting, the raw seeds are typically sold either to stockists, local mandies, or directly to manufacturers involved in psyllium processing, with the majority of produce usually going to the mandies. For harvesting, it usually takes place in March and April. Probably by the end of March and by the first week of April, the harvesting of the psyllium crop will be done. It is also recommended that during harvesting, because the regions where psyllium is grown have a lot of dew, the harvesting of the seeds should be carried out after 10:00 a.m., so that the dew dries up and the seeds will not shatter. A good crop and proper sowing of the seeds, along with proper irrigation, will give around 800 to 1,000 kilograms of seeds per hectare.

Health benefits of psyllium

Psyllium supports weight management and helps in maintaining blood sugar levels. It highlights that individuals suffering from obesity may benefit from including psyllium in their diet, as it promotes a feeling of fullness after consumption. Since psyllium absorbs a large amount of water, it expands in the stomach, reducing hunger and lowering the frequency of meals. This can help in controlling calorie intake and managing body weight effectively. The passage also emphasises the importance of adequate water intake while consuming psyllium to ensure proper digestion and overall health benefits.

Versatile industrial applications

We find that there are many industrial uses of psyllium beyond the food and pharmaceutical sectors. In construction, psyllium is used for soil management, as it helps retain essential nutrients in the soil and reduces nutrient loss during heavy rains and soil erosion. It also acts as a binding agent in road construction, helping to hold materials together. Additionally, psyllium is applied at dusty construction sites, where, when mixed with water, it binds dust particles and reduces airborne dust. This contributes to a safer and healthier working environment for labourers by minimising dust inhalation. Besides human consumption, it is also being used in the pet food industry. There are many pet food companies across the world using psyllium in pet food, especially for dogs and cats. Psyllium provides proper digestive health for pets. Because psyllium is rich in fibre, it helps regulate the pet’s digestion. It can help both with constipation and diarrhoea by normalising bowel movements. It also helps in maintaining the weight of pets, particularly dogs and cats, because it helps overweight pets feel full. Once a pet consumes food with psyllium, it may feel full and eat less, which helps reduce appetite and supports weight management. It also helps in managing diabetes in pets. It can stabilise blood sugar levels by slowing down the absorption of sugar from food. It helps in improving the stool quality of pets. Psyllium helps make the stool more solid, which is beneficial for pets that have loose stools or need better stool consistency for anal gland health.

Apart from the food and pet food industries, psyllium has also been used in the construction industry in the last four or five years. In construction, it is mainly used for soil stabilisation because psyllium powder is used as a natural soil stabiliser. When mixed with soil, it can help improve the soil structure and reduce soil erosion. The nutrients present in the soil during erosion are less likely to be lost because psyllium helps hold the soil together. It also helps at construction sites by controlling dust. Psyllium can be applied to dusty construction sites to help control dust. When water is added to psyllium, it forms a gel-like substance that binds dust particles together, preventing them from becoming airborne. This helps keep the work environment cleaner and reduces the amount of dust inhaled by workers at construction sites. It is also used in sustainable building materials. In some cases, psyllium is used as a binder in creating natural construction materials. For example, it can be mixed with organic materials to create bricks or blocks that can be more eco-friendly and based on traditional concepts. The use of psyllium in the construction industry has versatile potential and is growing. In the next four or five years, it may emerge as an active ingredient in the construction industry as well.

Value-driven pricing approach

Our company’s approach to sourcing and pricing aims at the farmers’ benefits. As manufacturers, the company ensures that raw materials are purchased directly from farms or specific groups of farmers, eliminating middlemen and maintaining better control over quality and traceability. The materials are brought directly to the factory, where they are processed according to strict quality parameters and specification standards.

The company follows a customer-focused pricing strategy by maintaining minimal profit margins. Rather than aiming for high profits on limited orders, it prioritises long-term relationships and bulk sales. By offering competitive pricing, the company supports its customers in remaining successful and competitive in the market, believing that mutual growth and higher volumes ultimately lead to sustainable profitability.

Strengthening farmer partnerships

Our company is fully committed to maintaining strong relationships with its farmers and ensuring compliance with international requirements. The company conducts annual meetings with specific groups of farmers from whom it sources organic materials. During these discussions, it shares customer feedback, evolving market demands, and changes in legislation across different countries.

By communicating these updates, the company ensures that farmers adapt their agricultural practices accordingly. This proactive approach benefits the entire supply chain, as quality and compliance begin at the farm level. Keeping farmers well-informed helps maintain product standards, strengthens partnerships, and ensures that the final output meets global expectations.

Contact details

Kundan Kumar
Business Development Manager, Kisan Agro, Village Dhabi, Gujarat
M: 8411074739
E: kundan@viralspices.com
 

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