DAMAK: Farmers in rural areas of Jhapa, Morang and Ilam districts have started cultivating Tulsi (sacred basil) and other herbs. More than 40 farmers of Damak municipality and Lakhanpur VDC in Jhapa, Bayarban and Urlabari VDCs in Morang and Chulachuli VDC in Ilam have started cultivating black basil. Bedanidhi Khatiwada, Damak coordinator of Easy Multi Trade Company (EMTC), that has been assisting for the cultivation of basil and other valuable herbs, said the farmers have started cultivating them in their backyards. “Model production of basil started in two katthas of land three months ago has given a good yield.” According to him, Rs 30,000 could be earned by selling the Tulsi cultivated in one kattha of land in a year. Anup Subedi, a farmer in Morang’s Bayarban, said his crop of the medicinal herb was growing well. Khadka Bahadur Lungeli of Chulachuli-5 in Ilam said an Ayurved production company would buy their produce. The cultivation has other benefits too. “After I cultivated basil, insects and mosquitoes are not seen around,” he added. The plant grown in a considerable area has also got environmental benefits. Farmers in surrounding villages are following suit. Addressing a press conference in Damak yesterday, Khatiwada said the farmers were lured by the benefits of the herb farming. Once planted, they can reap the yield three times. EMTC has trained them in the farming. The farmers have been assisted for the cultivation of lemon grass, jatropha and Stebia as well. Model cultivation of jatropha has been started in 5 bighas of land in Jhapa for bio-diesel production.