FAISALABAD, March 4: The Pacca Anna Bio-Saline Research Centre of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) has developed a cheap technology for extraction of eucalyptus oil.

This technology could be used at farm level and help generate additional income from leaves of eucalyptus tree, which were earlier considered useless.

PAEC member (biosciences) Dr Kausar Abdullah Malik was briefed about this technology during his recent visit to the National Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE).

He was told that five maunds of eucalyptus leaves could produce one kilogram of oil, which could be used in medicine, soap and perfume industry. Thus, farmers could earn an additional Rs500 per tree every year.—APP