Dambar Bishwakarma from Jhapa district in eastern Nepal has been engaged in lac farming for the past six years. His enterprise–Nirmal Chapra Udhyog–spread over 1.26 hectares in Gauradaha Municipality-2, employs 100 to 150 workers annually.
After working in a lac factory in West Bengal, India, for seven years, Bishwakarma started his own venture in Nepal.
Lac, a resinous substance secreted by lac insects, is used in pharmaceuticals, food coatings, cosmetics, varnish, and as sealing wax among other applications. With rising demand for sticklac (chapra), Bishwakarma has been training farmers in Dhankuta, Bhojpur, and Tehrathum districts while also purchasing their produce.
His factory produces up to 8 tonnes of seedlac annually, generating employment across multiple districts of Koshi Province, according to former Division Forest Officer Bishnu Lal Ghimire. The region north of Chatara Bagar to Mechi, with its warm climate and suitable tree species such as Siris (Albizia lebbeck) and Kusum (Schleichera oleosa), is considered ideal for lac farming.
Lac cultivation begins with trimming host trees. As new shoots emerge, broodlac sticks containing insects are tied to the branches. The insects gradually colonize the tree and secrete lac. During harvesting, a portion is preserved as broodlac for the next cycle, while the rest is collected as sticklac. Seedlac is then obtained by crushing sticklac and removing impurities.
Colored lac sells for Rs 700–800 per kg, while Kusumi lac fetches Rs 1,000 per kg. Despite its production potential, local supply remains insufficient, underscoring the need for expansion.
Recognizing its economic value, the Koshi provincial government has prioritized lac farming to boost employment and income, particularly for farmers with underutilized land.
Morang District Forest Officer Utsav Thapa stated that the government plans to expand lac farming in the coming years. However, Bishwakarma believes the sector still requires greater government support and promotion to reach its full potential.
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