Herbal farming workshop in Himachal

Palampur (Himachal Pradesh), March 13 : Many farmers in Himachal Pradesh's Palampur area recently learnt useful information on herbal farming during a workshop conducted by the Institute of Himalayan Bio Resources Technology (IHBT).

Farmers were taught about various methods of cultivating herbal plants of medicinal value and aromatic crops, particularly, at the altitudes of 6,000 feet above the sea level during the three-day workshop.

The agricultural scientists laid stress on the techniques used at the nursery stage, which are believed be crucial. Besides, the farmers were told about the market value of herbal plants and prospects of generating more income from herbal farming.

"They learnt about herbal farming, on how to grow the herbs, nursery techniques and how to give value addition to the herbal plant. They were briefed about the medicinal and the aromatic plants that can be grown at an altitude around 6,000 feet," said Dr. R. K Sood, a scientist IHBT of Palampur.

"The farmers were informed that after growing the plants how they should establish distillation units in accordance with the size and nature of their farmland. How to carry out the process of extraction and the means by which they can supplement their income by adopting these herbal plants," Dr. Sood further added.

Institute of Himalayan Bio Resources Technology also gifted saplings of herbal plants to the farmers at the workshop to motivate them for herbal plants and popularise it in their respective villages. Farmers were asked to give a regular feed back to IHBT.

The workshop helped the farmers learn basic things related to herbal farming and learn how it can benefit them. By Hemant Chauhan

ANI