Tanahun, February 7:

A 70-year-old farmer in Byas municipality has started commercial farming of medicinal herbs in Tanahun and Parbat districts. KB Gurung has planted over 50,000 plants of many species in 60 ropanis of land in the two districts.

Gurung said he invested Rs 1.5 million for land in Parbat and Tanahun and another Rs 5 lakh for plants. He has planted medicinal herbs like satuwa, panchaunle, bis, sahadevi, ginseng, ginko bilowa, jaitun and kudali among others in his farm. “I have planted 52 species of medicinal herbs, including some species brought from India, Canada and Japan. I aim to earn millions from my investment,” Gurung said.

He has planted herbs at the height of 400m above sea-level in Tanahun and 2100m above sea-level in Parbat. The two districts hold great potential for medicinal herb farming, Gurung added. He began commercial herb farming since July last year.

“Medicinal herb ginseng is regarded valuable in many countries, including China, Korea and the USA. I am planning to expand medicinal herb farming throughout the country,” he added. Apart from medicinal herb farming, Gurung has also been growing flowers, bamboos and lemon in his farm. Many youths in the districts, who were planning to go abroad for jobs, are now following Gurung’s path.