Economic evaluation of extraction, value addition and contribution of medicinal plants to household economy in district Ganderbal, Jammu & Kashmir

Abstract

The present study was carried out in four community blocks of district Ganderbal viz., Lar, Kangan, Gund and Sherpathri of the Kashmir valley owing to the majority of medicinal plant collectors in these blocks of Ganderbal district. A total number of 120 respondents i.e. Medicinal plant collectors were selected for the study. An all-around organized meeting plan was developed for the assortment of essential information from the respondents. Information got from the interviewees was investigated by utilizing both engaging and inferential insights. Description of fourteen species of medicinal plants was made in the study area. The study led to conclude that there were 14 major medicinal plants collected, consumed and marketed by the local people in Ganderbal. The medicinal plants comprised of twenty one types of plant parts which were extensively collected from herbs, shrubs, trees, climbers, fungi, fern etc. and consumed for curing sixteen different types of diseases by the local population and to meet their livelihood needs. The collection, value addition and marketing of medicinal plant generated a gross income of Rs.37670.50/HH/year and net income of Rs.24869.70/HH/year and an employment opportunity of 7052.40/Man-days/year among the sampled households. Morchella esculenta generated maximum income and employment among all the medicinal plants while the Taraxacum officinale accrued minimum income and employment in the sample households.