Medicinal herbs plantation for livelihood

Commercial agriculture of medicinal herbs has been started in Bhairahawa with a view to promote medicinal herbs useful in treatment of different kinds of diseases.

The plantation was initiated with the technical assistance of Herbal for Livelihood Service Center, an organization set up to promote medicinal herbs plantation as a commercial business. Central President of the Project Dr. Badri Gautam and Rupandehi President of the Project Kamalesh Agrawal began the plantation of these herbs in private investment.

The investors said that agriculture of this kind could contribute national economy if it would be planted systematic and scientific manner. They have been planting Staviarebaudiana (Chinimar), Commiphorawighti (Gokuldhup), Linn (Kasturi latta), Burm.F (Bayu biding), Vahl (Sanayapatti) including others.

According to Dr. Badri Gautam, plantation of Milk Thistle and Chamomiles has been started this year in two bighas of land in Kamhariya VDC as an experiment. Milk Thistle is useful for the treatment of liver while Chamomiles produces pleasant perfume. According to Dr. Gautam, Steviarebaudiana is 33 percent sweeter than sugar and it can be used by diabetes patients. Besides this, it helps cure other diseases related to mouth, throat, skin and abdominal diseases.

Dr. Gautam said Commiphorawighti is useful for uric acid and skin and Burm.F is useful for abdominal diseases. Stating that these herbal plants have ample demands in market, Dr. Gautam opined entrepreneurs especially farmers could operate herbal plantation as beneficial as other kinds of business. Dr. Gautam said seed of those herbal plants were imported from India. According to him, there is substantial demand of such herbal products in national and international markets.

Dr. Gautam and Agrawal, in initiative of the Center, also planted lemon grass in 17 bighas of unused land of Buddha Airport taking in lease for three years.

Rs. 1 million has been invested in lemon grass plantation in total. The lemongrass planted once delivers product for 6 years three times in each, according to the Center. Oil can be produced from Lemongrass after refining that is used in producing vitamin A capsule and other medicines.

Herbal for Livelihood Service Center has been encouraging and providing technical assistance on medicinal herbal plantation for livelihood in Rupandehi, Jhapa, Dhankuta, Makawanpur, Kaski, Gulmi, Dang and Banke districts. In addition, it has already trained to over a thousand individuals on medicinal herbal plantation.