Castor farming indeed plays a crucial role in India’s agricultural landscape, often carried out by smallholders and family farms. However, the supply chain of castor oil faces sustainability challenges, encompassing social, health, safety, and environmental risks.

Social challenges may involve issues related to labour rights, fair wages, and working conditions for farmers and labourers involved in the cultivation and harvesting of castor beans. Health risks could arise from exposure to pesticides and other agrochemicals used in castor farming, affecting both farmers and nearby communities. Safety concerns might include inadequate infrastructure for safely handling and processing castor beans, leading to accidents and injuries.

Environmental risks associated with castor farming encompass deforestation, soil erosion, water pollution from agrochemical runoff, and biodiversity loss. Moreover, the intensive use of agrochemicals can contribute to soil degradation and water contamination, impacting the long-term sustainability of agricultural practices.

Despite these challenges, castor oil finds applications across various industries, including coatings & paints, pharmaceuticals, lubricants, engineering plastics, crop protection, and personal & home care products and Aviation fuel . However, there is growing awareness and demand for sustainable and ethically sourced raw materials, prompting stakeholders across the castor oil supply chain to adopt more environmentally friendly and socially responsible practices.

Efforts to address these sustainability challenges may include promoting organic farming practices, implementing fair trade initiatives to ensure fair wages and working conditions for farmers and labourers, reducing the use of agrochemicals through integrated pest management strategies, and investing in infrastructure for safe handling and processing of castor beans. Collaboration among government, industry players, NGOs, and local communities is essential to drive positive change and foster a more sustainable castor oil supply chain Globally.