Mangalbare (Ilam), Jan 31: Herbal extract essential oil produced in Ilam is exported abroad. The essential oil manufacturing plant operated by Nitya Raj Dahal at Maijogmai Rural Municipality has been exporting its products overseas.
The factory established 13 years
back started exporting herbs and essential oils since last year. Dahal said the
products are mainly exported to France.
"Our factory produces
essential oils from mugwort, black juniper, mint and dhasingre (wintergreen)
and other locally-grown herbs. At present only extracts from mugwort, cypress
and mint is exported overseas," he said.
According to Dahal, they are
preparing to extract essential oil from geranium, wild marigold or black mint,
rosemary, among other plants, in the near future.
"The foreign customers have
Started liking Nepali natural herbal products and we have started producing
them as per their demand," he added.
Stating that he is an Osho
follower, Dahal said foreigners who come for meditation at his place buy his
products and take them home.
"In the beginning, the
foreigners were not so interested in our products; they started to like our
products after informing them about the value of these products. We are
encouraged after increase in the sale of our products of late," Dahal
shared.
The essential oil extracted from
black juniper is sold for Rs 2,500 per kilogramme, that from mugwort plant for
Rs 6,000 per kilogramme, that from mint for Rs 7,000 and that from wintergreen
for Rs 7000.
Dahal has been growing various
varieties of herbs in 35 ropanis of land. He also buys herbs from local
farmers.
Keshav Dahal, a local, said
commercial production has been done at the local level by utilizing the vacant
land in the village. (RSS)