Bhojpur. Prem Dorchi Sherpa, ward chair of Shadananda Municipality-10, Sampang in Bhojpur, is an example in commercial herbal farming. He has been cultivating herbs along with serving the people as a people’s representative. Sherpa said that he has been earning rs 500,000 to Rs 700,000 annually from the sale of herbs even after giving a little time.

According to him, there are still 60 different varieties of herbal plants in his multipurpose herbal nursery center. Ward chair Sherpa said he has been cultivating chiraito, satuwa, lothasalla, setak sugar and simkhudo since 22 years ago.

He said that after serving the people, the remaining time is spent in the cultivation of herbs. “I use the time i sell from the service of the people to cultivate herbs,” said Sherpa, adding, “I am earning a good income from herbs.” Since last year, I sold 12 manas (40 kg in one mind) chiraito. Compared to other crops, you can earn twice as much income from herbs. ’

Ward Chair Sherpa said that he is involved in agriculture enterprise along with politics to become financially capable. According to him, the firm has been selling satuwa saplings, chiraito plant seeds, leaves and stones among others. He said that the three-storey area has a suitable geography for herbs, which makes it easier to earn good income.

“There is no problem in selling the herbs produced,” he said. Almost all the locals in our area are cultivating herbs. On an average, a farmer here sells herbs worth Rs 200,000 to Rs 10 lakh annually. ’

Sherpa shared his experience of earning better from herbal farming than from traditional crops. According to him, up to Rs 50,000 can be earned from the cultivation of herbs in the land where other crops are produced at Rs 10,000. He said that he shares the skills he has learned with the newcomers engaged in herbs.

He said that the ward is also running an incentive program for those engaged in herbal farming. Sherpa said that the herbal plants produced in his farm are also exported to foreign districts. “I have good knowledge of herbal farming,” he said, adding, “I have shared my skills with the locals as well.”

After I became the people’s representative, we have been able to declare our area as a pocket area of herbs. He said that he was already doing agricultural work, so he was continuing it even after becoming a people’s representative. He said that it is necessary to engage in profession and business to become financially strong as politics is a service.