FIELD NOTES · KONKAN, INDIA
Plants, people and the making of fragrance. A journal from Dilip and Gauri Parab, following the work and questions behind House of Sugandha.
The field notebook
Our work begins with growing and distilling lemongrass in Konkan. Here we separate what we have observed, what we are interpreting and what still needs testing.
Founder’s field note · 26 October 2026
A question visitors ask us leads to a harder one: after harvest, transport and processing, what will remain with the farmer? A reflection from our work with lemongrass, and the questions guiding our next crop trials.
Read the field noteThese are the records we intend to build. They are not reports of completed trials. We will publish results only with their context and limitations.
A field observation is not a controlled study. Measured comparisons and laboratory results will be identified when available.
Understand wooden-cap diffusion, sensible placement, spills and choosing a fragrance for the space you share.
Find your way through four botanical fragrance characters, with practical pairings for floral and earthy preferences.
A practical guide to application, bottle sizes and choosing between Sugandha’s oil-based roll-ons and alcohol-based sprays.
Founder’s field note
A question from visitors to our farm leads to a harder one: after harvest, transport and processing, what will remain with the farmer? An English companion to Dilip Parab’s Marathi field reflection.
Konkan industry
What would it take for Konkan to retain more knowledge, skilled work and value from its aromatic plants? A founder’s argument, informed by the example of Grasse.
Essential oil economics
Oil recovery, biomass weight, quality and cash flow tell different stories. A practical guide to reading essential-oil figures without confusing yield with profit.
Biodiversity & economy
Aromatic plants can create livelihoods, but a landscape is more than a supply of ingredients. Why plant identity, habitat, local knowledge and small trials must come before scale.
Perfume craft
A botanical name, a fragrance note and a finished perfume tell different stories. How we think about material identity, composition and the memories a fragrance might evoke.
Work & society
Local employment becomes more valuable when people gain skills, responsibility and choice. What a growing fragrance enterprise should ask of itself before asking young people to stay.
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The Konkan Fragrance Project · On film
Watch the work, meet the people and follow the making of a fragrance house.
