Free saplings distributed in Far-west to promote herbal cultivation

Kailali: The Botanical Research Center has distributed free saplings to promote and expand herbal cultivation in the Far West.

The center has been distributing medicinal plant saplings to general farmers, associations, and organizations interested in commercial herb farming by producing high-quality seedlings. According to Senior Scientific Officer Gangadatta Bhatta, the center has been producing and distributing species such as Kurilo, Sarpagandha, Sheetal Chini, Tejpat, Chiuri, Neem, Bel, Mauba, Ashwagandha, Kamini, Gurjo, Emili, Satisal, and Arjuna, among others.

He informed that the center distributed 100,000 medicinal plants across the Far West in fiscal year 2078/079, 130,000 in 2079/80, 52,000 in 2080/081, and 53,000 in 2081/082. The Botanical Research Center has identified areas in various districts of the Far West Province where herbs naturally grow and has been providing training, as well as guidance on sustainable collection, storage, grading, packaging, and technical advice to groups, cooperatives, and interested individuals for sustainable herbal cultivation.

The center has also been providing grants to farmers affiliated with groups and cooperatives to encourage herbal farming. In recent years, the Botanical Research Center has recorded that herbs such as Rittha, Tejpat, Kaulo, Pashanbhed, Amla, Jhyau, Sunakhari, Chutro, Satuwa, Kutki, Sugandhawal, Chiraito, Satawari, Setak Chini, Timmur, Yarsagumba, Jatamasi, and Bojo have been exported to domestic and international markets from the Far West Province. Bhatta further informed that a record of 502 plant species with medicinal properties found in the Far West Province has been prepared.