Scientific name of the hing is “Asafoetida”. It is basically dried latex gum. Hing is a perennial herb that grows at the height of 1 to 1.5 meter (3.3 to 4.9 ft). Hing belongs to the celery family and they are also known as Umbelliferae. Umbelliferae is a family of aromatic plants and is also known as Apiacea. Silphium is the genus of asafoetida or hing. This crop usually grows in drained out areas like deserts. Hing species are native to Iran deserts and Afghanistan mountains. Hing has a strong sharp smell (pungent smell). The crop is also known as ‘devil dung’ or food of the devils. Hing is used as spice and it is an important part of Indian kitchens where it is used for enhancing the flavour of the food. It is used along with turmeric, lentil curries such as dal, chickpea curries and vegetable dishes including potato cauliflower etc. Hing is also used to add flavour in all types of non veg food it is also served along with table salad.
How asafoetida is obtained
Asafoetida contains
- 40-64 % resin
- 25% endogenous gum
- 10-17 % Volatile oil
- 1.5 to 10 % ash
- The resin portion contains ferulic acid and umbelliferone.
How to start hing cultivation
To start hing cultivation you need to follow the below given steps including hing propagation, temperature, soil, irrigation etc.
Propagation and planting method in hing farming
Provide the distance of 2 feet between each hing seed. It Is better to grow seeds in a greenhouse and later transfer them to the main field during the seedling stage. Asafoetida can easily propagate through Pollination by insectsSoil requirements for hing farming
It is a fact that hing grows best in deserts. However, hing can tolerate all pH levels like acidic, neutral and basic types. Moreover, soil required for the cultivation of hing should be a mix of sandy loam or clay.
Temperature required for hing cultivation
Temperature range between 0 to 35° C is good for hing farming. Sometimes it grows in more temperature. Generally, it is cultivated in the month of August. Rain not more than 200 mm is required for hing cultivation.
Spacing for hing farming
5 feet distance between each hing crop is the suitable spacing for hing cultivation.
Seed germination of Asafoetida
Early Spring season for sowing asafoetida is preferable so that the germination process can take place during moist and cold climates.
Hing farming Irrigation
Hing crops do not demand for too much water. Water is required only during the germination process of the hing crop. Soil testing is a good option to check the moisture level of the soil if found less moisture or no moisture then irrigation needs to be done. Remember, water logging can harm the hing crop so be careful while performing the irrigation process at your hing farm.
Hing farming Irrigation
Hing crops do not demand for too much water. Water is required only during the germination process of the hing crop. Soil testing is a good option to check the moisture level of the soil if found less moisture or no moisture then irrigation needs to be done. Remember, water logging can harm the hing crop so be careful while performing the irrigation process at your hing farm.
Hing harvesting
Hing crop needs 5 years to get ready for harvest. Latex gum is being produced from the roots and rhizomes of the hing plants. Root and near root area is being cut to generate gum resin and milky juice. These substances are exposed to air and hardens later they are extracted. March, April are the best months to apply for harvesting of hing.
Hing packaging
Airtight Containers are used to store hing. Hing Is an aromatic substance which needs to be stored with care. Due to the aromatic content present in hing it is necessary to pack it immediately.
Hing common names in India
- Asafoetida name in Hindi - Hing
- Hing name in Hindi - Hing
- Angustha Gandha - Persian
- Inguva - Telugu
- Badika - Sanskrit
- Hengu - Oriya or Odia
- Perunkayam - hing name in Tamil
- Kayam - Malayalam
- Yang Sap - Kashmiri
- Hing - gujarati
- Vagharni - Sindhi
- Hinga - Marathi
- Hin - Bengali
- Ingu - Kannada
Other names for hing
Hing has various names according to the locality some of the different names for hinge are given below, please have a look.
- Asafoetida - Hing name in English
- Merde du Diable - French
- Teufelsdreck - German
- Dyvelstrack - Swedish
- Duivelsdrek - Dutch
- Duiwelsdrek - Afrikaans
- Chitt or chiltit - Hebrew
- Chitt or chiltit - Finnish
- Pirunpaska or pirunpihka - Turkish
- Tyib - Hing name in Arabic
- Czarce - Kashubian
- Asafedity - United States
- Henjana - Pashto
- Ting and halti are some other names of hing
Asafoetida cultivation in India
Asafoetida is produced worldwide, 40% of it is consumed in India. Wild animals do not harm the asafetida crop. Asafoetida is widely used in Ayurveda Indian medicine and spices. The Government of India imports hing worth 600 rupees crore every year. India imports hing from Iran, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. In 2017 IHBT Experimentally, asafoetida was selected to grow in the hills of the Indian Himalayas. Hing were imported from Iran for research which was kept under the protection of NBPGR
In India first time Asafoetida cultivation started in Spiti of Himachal Pradesh. Indian agriculture department has chosen most areas of HP and Uttarakhand for hing cultivation practices. India aims to increase the cultivation of asafoetida to 300 hectares in the next 5 years. As we know CSIR is an Indian government organization that is working under Aroma mission to promote the cultivation of aromatic plants such as lavender, geranium and now they have started to promote hing cultivation as well.
Important facts about asafoetida
Dr. Sharma is the first person who purchased hing seeds from Iran by own and is being experimenting on them. Later Indian government has joined the party and IHBT is experimenting on hing cultivation in Indian high altiturde area such as Spiti, Pangi and Kinnaur of Himachal pradesh and some regions of Uttarakhand as well. According to Dr. Sharma in upcoming days cultivation of asafoetida will be profit making cultivation for farmers.
Interesting facts about asafoetida (hing name).
In French it is known as merde du Diable which means “Devils Shit”. In English few times it is called “Devil's Dung”. These are a few fun facts about asafoetida.
Health benefits of asafoetida
- Use of asafoetida is common during irregular pregnancy.
- It is used to treat menstrual bleeding.
- It prevents constipation.
- Useful in gastric problems.
- Asafoetida is commonly given to new mothers
Hing Cultivation FAQ
Some of the frequently asked questions about Hing or Asafoetida cultivation are given below please have a look.
Hing 1kg price in India
In 2021 the market price of asafoetida is about Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000 per kg.
Where Asafoetida is grown?
Asafoetida is widely grown in Afghanistan, Iran, Turkmenistan and Balochistan. Iran and Afghanistan are the biggest exporter of hing.
Which is the best climate for growing hing?
Cold and dry climate is ideal for hing cultivation.
Temperature tolerance for hing?
It can tolerate maximum 35 to 40° C temperature and minimum 4° C.
Suggestions - Farmers are getting free plants in geranium cultivation from the government organisation csir-cimap, India and it is just the beginning of asafoetida cultivated in India. so it is recommended to keep eye on csir-cimap to get free plants and advantage of initial level farming of hing.