Karanja Tree (Millettia pinnata)
Scientific Name: Millettia pinnata — Karanja, Indian Beech (formerly Pongamia pinnata).
Native Home: Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia.
Height: 8–20 metres.
Lifespan: Several decades, sometimes over 80 years.
Uses and Harvesting
Timber: Used for fuelwood, small construction projects and agricultural implements.
Harvesting: Seeds are collected when mature; seed oil is extracted for commercial use.
Age to Harvest: Seed production commonly begins around 4–7 years, with yields increasing as the tree matures.
Products: Karanja oil, biodiesel feedstock, soap ingredients, seed cake and fuelwood.
History and Global Production
Traditional Use: Seed oil has been used in traditional preparations, lamps and soap-making.
Global Spread: Widely planted in India and other tropical regions for oilseed production, roadside planting and land restoration.
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