Marketing Initiatives 

 

The marketing of medicinal plants has been an integral and challenging segment for cultivators involved in medicinal plant cultivation. Numerous farmers and FPOs associated with RCFC-NR1 cultivate medicinal plants such as Tulsi, Ashwagandha, Aloe vera, etc., but they lack proper marketing access and hence face difficulties obtaining fair prices and finding the right platform to sell their raw materials. To address these issues, RCFC-NR1 facilitates people by connecting them with potential buyers and giving them necessary suggestions to market their raw materials.

 

Marketing and Sales Facilitation:

Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum)- The Jai Shri Radhe Triyambkeshwar Brij Kisan Producer Company

Limited in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, managed by Mahesh Chandra, supplies Tulsi (also known as Holy Basil). They provided 1,000 quintals of Tulsi, but due to its perish ability, coordinating harvest timing was challenging. However, the company established a connection with Dabur’s representative in Mathura for future collaboration and linked with the Quality Council of India to address harvesting issues and certification training.

 

Pippali (Piper longum)- M/S Aryan Enterprises, represented by Sh Mabub Islam from Kolkata, West Bengal, supplied between 200 and 300 kg. of Pippali (also known as Long Pepper). The company circulated their offering in industry groups for broader recognition.

 

Kapur Kachri (Hedychium spicatum)- M/S Aryan Enterprises also supplies Kapur Kachri (commonly known as Spiked Ginger Lily), with a 10-12 tonne volume. A 250 g sample was sent to Himalaya Wellness Company for quality testing. However, the price range didn’t align with the expected rates, leading to a standstill in negotiations. Inquiries from Dr. Ajay Varshney at Vamso Biotec Pvt Ltd were addressed, but no further action occurred. A farmer named Rajesh Kanwar from Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh, provided between 20 and 30 tonnes of Kapur Kachri, with a sample also sent to Himalaya Wellness.

 

Kuth (Saussurea costus)- Sh Kripal from Rohal, Himachal Pradesh, supplies Kuth (also known as Postkhai or Kusht). Although no specific quantity was mentioned, Kripal was facilitated with current Mandi rates and potential buyers.

 

Black Turmeric (Curcuma caesia)- Sh Pappu Kumar from Bankhandi, Himachal Pradesh, deals with Black Turmeric (known as Kali Haldi or Black Zedoary) and supplied 2 quintals. Samples were sent to Agnext Technologies for curcumin percentage testing, and 5 kg. was sold. The company is in the process of sending a mother rhizome to Ms. Prerna Jyoti.

 

Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)- Sh Rantej Yadav from Mahendergarh, Haryana, supplied 50 tonnes of Aloe Vera. Due to selling difficulties, a field visit was conducted, leading to connections with Shivkapoor, a trader specializing in such commodities.

 

Gucchi (Morchella esculenta)- Sh Kamaljeet Duggal from Chamba, Himachal Pradesh, supplies Gucchi (also known as Morel) with a 70 kg. volume. A demand was raised by Hilly Basket, but the asking price did not match the buyer’s offer.

 

Database Development

 

RCFC NR-1 regularly collects and circulates the Mandi rates of raw herbal materials from the Northern Region Mandies, as required by the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB). This data is collected twice a month-in the first and second fortnight and is shared with NMPB in Delhi on a daily basis. These Mandi rates are crucial for farmers to understand the current market trends and determine the best times to sell their raw materials. The collected data is distributed to key stakeholders, including:

  1. The CEO of NMPB, New Delhi
  2. The Director General of CCRAS, Janakpuri, New Delhi
  3. The Secretary of AYUSH for the Government of Himachal Pradesh
  4. The Director of AYUSH, Himachal Pradesh
  5. The Principal of RGGPG Ayurvedic College, Paprola (Chairman of PMC)
  6. The Regional Director of RCFC NR-1, Joginder Nagar
  7. Shri Saurabh Sharma, Marketing Manager, NMPB, New Delhi

This regular circulation of Mandi rates helps maintain transparency in the herbal market and allows farmers and stakeholders to make informed decisions about their raw herbal materials.

 

Databases 

RCFC NR-1 has compiled comprehensive databases to support the medicinal plant sector, incorporating key information from farmers, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), traders, and Mandi rates. This data collection aligns with the mandate from the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) to facilitate medicinal plant trade.

 

  • Farmers’ Data:

This database contains information on farmers involved in cultivating medicinal plants. It provides insights into the supply side of medicinal plants and enables direct communication between farmers and other stakeholders, fostering efficient collaboration.

 

  • Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) Data:

This data set includes details of FPOs engaged in medicinal plant cultivation and trade. FPOs play a significant role in organizing farmers, providing technical assistance, and enabling collective bargaining, contributing to the development of a robust medicinal plant industry.

 

  • Traders’ Data:

This database identifies traders who serve as intermediaries between producers and consumers, streamlining the movement of medicinal plants from farms to markets. It helps in optimizing supply chain logistics and establishing reliable trading partnerships.

 

  • Purpose of Data Collection:

The collected data supports decision-making and future planning for the medicinal plant sector. It aims to identify challenges, track market trends, and enhance communication among stakeholders, leading to a more efficient supply chain.

 

The effort to build these databases reflects the comprehensive approach of RCFC NR-1 in addressing the evolving needs of the medicinal plant sector, facilitating trade, and promoting sustainable practices.