Sector
Agriculture
Keyword

Lac Treater, Lac Maker

Minimum ? No entry barrier, preferably 5th standard pass

Not required

The tasks a Lac Treater is expected to perform include:Treating or processing raw lac by grinding, washing and drying

Making pure or seed lac for manufacturing various lac products

Washing raw lac in water and chemicals to remove impurities, dead insects and dye matter

Drying washed lac (seed lac) in open air Dissolving seed lac in spirit or linseed oil or both in prescribed proportion

Filtering solution through cloth bags or filters

Collecting filtered liquid called lac varnish or polish in containers

Collecting the wax floating on water and cooling it to make lac wax

Mixing powdered seed lac, rosin, chemicals and colour compound in prescribed quantities

Heating the mixture of seed lac to the prescribed temperature

Adding turpentine to heated mixture or molten solution

Pouring molten composition into special moulds with cooling arrangement

Removing wax from mould after a specified period

Proficient in treating/processing raw lac

Familiar with the precautions to be taken while treating raw lac to protect its quality

Detailed knowledge of lac processing Familiar with the different by-products obtained during lac processing Skilled in maintaining required temperature during the process

Knowledge of quantities and types of chemicals to be mixed with lac

/
Not applicable

Manual dexterity and stability

Ability to work independently

Hardworking and persistent

Result-oriented

Self-motivated

It is not a field job

Work from home is not applicable for this profile

May supervise a team of other Lac Workers

Part-time and contractual jobs are not available

Local travelling is not part of the job

Working hours

Working is 9 hours everyday for 6 days a week

Overtime and shift system maybe involved

Is the job suitable for a candidate with special needs?No

Health risks include exposure to extreme heat, chemicals, etc.Occupational hazards include back/neck pains, injury to body by handling hot equipment,etc.

For candidates on daily wage system - INR 90 to INR 340 per day1 (These figures are indicative and subject to change)

Overview of Lac Cultivation in India1

This agricultural profession of lac cultivation is a subsidiary source of income for a large number of farmers mainly in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh. West Bengal, Orissa, North-East states and other parts of the country. India, which is the highest producer of lac, contributes around 55% of the total world requirement. The country exports around 80-90% of its production. Jharkhand is the ?Lac State of India? which alone contributes about 59% of the national production. Recent studies carried out by Indian Lac Research Institute in Ranchi district of Jharkhand and several lac growing villages of other regions have revealed that the income generated from lac cultivation is next only to cultivation of paddy. The income form lac cultivation is about 8% of their total agricultural income.

The lac industry is broadening its horizons by researching the uses of lac for different purposes like surface coating, coating for insulators, adhesive making, etc. It is estimated that the lac industry will grow by leaps and bounds, making it one of the most important export from India. With the expansion of lac industry, the demand for Lac Treaters will also increase.

Lac manufacturing units

Lac cultivators

Job openings are in Tier II and Tier III cities3