Himachal to bring 4,500 acres under herb production

With the efforts of two NGOs, Herbs Antique Research Botanical (HARB) and Aromatic Plants Growers Association of India (APGAI), Himachal Pradesh may soon boast of more than 4,500 acres under herb cultivation by 2007-end.

Already, these two NGOs have brought 1,500 acres under herb cultivation, roping in more than 2,000 farmers. Also, the associations will launch about 140 formulation in the domestic market soon, after getting necessary clearances from the health and food inspection departments concerned.

For manufacturing purposes, the NGOs have set up their unit in Kangra at an estimated cost of Rs 10 crore. Funding will be mainly through contribution by its members.

Both are engaged in training farmers, identifying plants, documenting land data and helping them prepare project reports for the National Horticulture Board and National Medicinal Plant Board.

Speaking to Business Standard, HARB President R S Guleria, the man behind motivating farmers to undertake this cultivation, said, "To process the herbs and aromatic plants, we have put a unit in Kangra with an estimated cost of Rs 10 crore, which is likely to start production in six months after getting clearances from the department."