Lac
Lac is a sticky, resinous secretion of the tiny lac insect, Laccifer lacca, which is a species of scale insect. Indian Stick lac as well as Asian lacquer has traditionally been used as glue to make or repair farm equipment, connecting iron and wood. It has also been widely used for dyeing silk and cotton. There is a significant demand in the international market for high quality lac.
The significance of Lac lies in the fact that it is a sustainable livelihood for traditional communities as far apart as the Lakheras of Maharashtra to the Lemo in western Yunnan, southwest China. Lac is also significant in its yielding of several products, including resin for selling or trading, leafy shoots for vegetable, pericarps for making wax, roots and leaves for pesticide, dry resin for medicine, and seeds for vegetable oil extraction. More...
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