Jhoola Herbcare, a Varanasi-based group company, has launched capsules of farm products like garlic, karela, neem, amla, brahmi and tulsi.
The farm products are freeze dried, the technology for which was acquired by Jhoola Herbcare from the UK-based Oriental Commodities in return for worldwide marketing rights, company officials said.
The colour, flavour and potency of the products have been retained, said Jhoola Group chairman and managing director D N Jhunjhunwala. The products are also free of pathogens, he added.
The capsules, priced between Rs 3.00 and Rs 4.50, were unlikely to have any side effects as they were free from additives, chemical and artificial colour, Jhunjhunwala said.
The company expects a turnover of Rs 10 crore this year, of which exports will account for Rs 7 crore. It is currently exporting to the US, the UK and South America and is negotiating with a partner for marketing in Malaysia. It plans to enter the Australian market in the next stage.
In India, the products are being marketed in north, east and central India. It plans to enter the markets in southern and western India over the next two months.
"We plan to increase production from 300 kg per day at present to 3,000 kg per day by next year," Jhunjhunwala said.
The group, which had vanaspati as its main line of business, diversified into herbal medicines recently. So far, Rs 5 crore has already been invested in the business and this is expected to increase to Rs 25 crore by next year end.
Jhoola Herbcare sources its raw material from forests it has bought in Jaunpur district. It plans to start cultivating herbs by next year.
Among the company's products slated for launch next year are capsules of grapes, bel and ginger.
It also produces `Multivital', the Indian answer to Viagra. It is marketed abroad under the brand name `Natugra'. r sector
