The Hindu Business Line : A route to medicinal plant product exports

Medicinal plant product exports is a traditional business in Tuticorin that has been trying to evolve from raw material exports to value-added product exports.

According to Mr P.S.S. Ganesan of P.S.S. Ganesan and Sons, a leading exporter of medicinal plants, Tuticorin is the base for over 10 exporters with total exports of about Rs 40 crore a year. There are also numerous small exporters who get into the business each time there is an order for raw material.

Also, Karnataka-based medicinal plant product exporters route their exports through Tuticorin. Sri Lanka alone buys over Rs 10 crore worth of medicinal plant extracts.

What is needed to establish Tuticorin as a centre for medicinal plants is a demonstration of the potential. A model farm for medicinal plants is needed as is a common infrastructure facility. Also, some policy issues that prove a bottleneck needs to the addressed.

Mr Ganesan has initiated a project for setting up a medicinal plants park for `Senna' (Cassia sp) and other medicinal plants. The National Medicinal Plants Board is considering the proposal to sponsor the facility. The National Horticulture Board is handling the liaison for the project, which is to come up in partnership with the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation, he said.

Prickly issues

According to official sources, `Senna', known for its laxative property, is being cultivated widely in Rajasthan. But its growth in Tamil Nadu, home of the medicinal plant, has been relatively slow. One particular variety, `Tinneveli Senna', has a strong market in Europe. It fetches about Rs 25 a kg. Tuticorin-based exporters sell about 10,000 tonnes of material a year.

According to Mr Ganesan, exporters based in Tuticorin are not able to export extractions because of the stringent regulations on the use of ethanol and methanol. The licensing regulations are so complicated they prefer to export raw material. The policy is a stumbling block for investment in extraction.

Weather conditions in Tuticorin and Tirunelveli regions are considered ideal for `Senna' cultivation. According to Mr Ganesan, as of now exporters depend on collection of medicinal plant material from the wild. There is continuous demand for medicinal plants from Europe, the US and the East.Academic institutions and Government departments should come together to encourage cultivation of valuable medicinal plants, Mr Ganesan said.

More Stories on : Alternative Medicines | Exports & Imports | Tamil Nadu

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