The story
Screwpine (kewda) bushes grow wild along the sandy coastal belt of Ganjam, and local distillers have long steamed the flowers in copper stills. The kewda rooh, attar and water are used in sweets, biryani, perfumes and tobacco products. Ganjam Kewda Flower and Ganjam Kewda Rooh are both GI-registered.
In numbers
The Ganjam kewda cluster had 145 functional units, a turnover of Rs. 41.28 crore and employment of 1,876; about 10% of products are exported.
Brief Industrial Profile of Ganjam District, MSME-DI Cuttack, Ministry of MSME · 2012
GI tag
- Ganjam Kewda RoohApplication no. Application No. 228Registration details of Geographical Indications (state-wise register), IP India
- Ganjam Kewda FlowerApplication no. Application No. 229Registration details of Geographical Indications (state-wise register), IP India
Ways in for a newcomer
- Modern steam-distillation units with better yield
- Branded kewda water for sweet shops and caterers
- Supply kewda extracts to flavour and fragrance companies
Problems the cluster faces
- Seasonal flower supply and cyclone damage
- Old copper stills with low recovery
- Adulteration with synthetic kewda
Businesses to start here
Ittar (Attar) Making →Perfume Manufacturing →Perfumery Compound Blending →Rose Water Making Unit →