HERBAL VILLAGE - Ghesh

Cultivation of Medicinal Plants by farmers in respective farmlands – An enthusiastic participation by community of Village Gesh.

The village unfolds after a long and arduous track of 35 km from the nearest motor able road. The pathway covers through well endowed temperate forests of dense pines, the Himalayan oak and the lovely rodendron trees. Situated in the laps of Himalayas, the village offers breathtaking view of Trishuli range. The environs here are mesmerizing with uniquely habitat flora and fauna. Ridges of these mountains abound long alpine pastures (Bugyals) which expanse to the Himalayan heights in the north. The region offers diversified opportunities to the community as agro climate enables semi cold, cold temperate and alpine vegetation to its habitants.

Our initiatives in the region:

Conducting Exploratory Visit=>discussion with farmers of Ghesh => Training & monitoring – conducted with scientists from HAPPRC, HRDI & UYRDC => Cultivation and marketing

This program began with an exploratory visit with scientist from HAPPRC and people representatives of village Ghesh in the alpine meadows in search of herbaceous plants. The exploration was designed with the purpose to study the natural habitats in the region. This study would bring possibility in suggesting Medicinal plants that can be grown in the farmlands as the region has a natural advantage

The exploration was followed by discussion with the community of Ghesh. All these activities were designed and organised in consultation with Village Pradhan Shri. Kesar Singh and his colleague Shri.Harak Singh, both retired personals from the army. The farmers of the village were enthusiastic on the ideology of cultivating Medicinal and Aromatic Plants with commercial objectives in spite of it being the remotest village from the road head in Pinder valley, 40km in the interiors from the road to as far as 60 km to the furthest of its hamlet (Himani, Balan & Pinow). The region lies in the high altitude mountain zones (2200 mtrs to 3000mtrs MHSL) receiving heavy snowfalls in the winters.

The discussion was put through technical inputs on aspects of cultivation methods for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. Villagers had taken effective note on the technical inputs. 5 days training program was organised at Gesh Village. This initiative has given a boost to the people of Gesh to cultivate these Medicinal plants in farmland.

The farmers of Gesh bought seeds from HAPPRC, H.N.B. Garhwal University, Srinagar and germinated them in their polyhouse. The cultivated seedlings were transplanted in respective farmland for cultivation. The farmers informally formed a growers association “Ghesh Farmers Growers Association” to sell their produce in the market. The organisation made periodical visits, every Quarterly in a year, to the village and documented the progress. The field assistants involved in the activity have been facilitating to them on inputs required on polyhouse management, plant ailments and cure.

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Benefits Derived:

i). Marketing of Produce: Facilitating the farmers by organising buy back arrangement with trader (M/S Dhawan International)

The organisation with support from TIFAC, HAPPRC, NMPB has facilitated forward linkages; Farmers of Gesh with M/S Dawan International on immediate buy back on the harvested Kutki (Picrorhiza Kurrooa – Botanical name). The trader has bought kutki at a price of Rs.200/kg. The farmers sold around 5 quintals of kutki.

ii). Cultivation:

Cultivation Details – Year Wise Of Picrorhiza Kurrooa(Kutki) And Saussurea Lapa (Kuth) in Ghesh Village.

In Ghesh Village 66 farmers have started the cultivation of kutki and kuth on their land since June –July 2002. Details are as follows:-

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iii). Training Program:

Special 5 days training by HAPPRC was organised at Ghesh under the Subject: 'Cultivation Techniques for Medicinal Herbs'.

iv). Harvesting:

Farmers have harvested Kuth and Kutki during October 2005
Area cover is 3 hectare for the harvest of kuth and kutki
Target produce capacity is 5 quintals of kutki

c). Quantitative Benefit:

Through this established linkage farmers have sold their produce to the Trader at Rs.200/kg of Kutki. Around 5 quintals of Kutki was sold to the trader for Rs 1,00,000.00. This initiative received much appreciation and accolades given the fact that the village is amongst the remote most in the project belt , visibly one of the remote most in the state. Approximate of 32+ km away from the nearest roadhead till 70 km away from furthest away hamlets with no telecommunication network established till date.

d). Qualitative Benefit:

• This initiative of farmer has raised keenness amongst the traders to come forward and venture business programs with them. Mr. Vikas Dhawan, M/S Dhawan International, a buying agency has signed MOU with the farmers and has purchased harvested Medicinal Plant variety of Kutki through the village association.

• The effort of farmers of village Gesh has encouraged other farmers of the valley to take fruitful lessons and emulate experiences in respective farmlands.

• This activity has been a moral boost to the farmers who had no hope, neither fascinated on such a fruitful endeavour. The herbal program has induced a can do attitude and achieve higher goals in near future.

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