Tulasi farming initiated on environment day

GANDAKI, June 6: On the occasion of World Environment Day, commercial farming of Tulasi or basil plant has been initiated. The farming has been started at Bharatpokhari in Pokhara sub-metropolis-33.

The farming is a joint initiative of the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) and the Barpandethum Elderly Citizen's Chautary. To mark the occasion, two kilograms of Tulasi seeds were sown in three tunnel farms, said Chairperson of the Chautari Keshav Raj Lamsal.

The Chautari has plans to distribute 50 Tulasi saplings each to around 200 households in its working area to attract them towards farming of the holy plant of medicinal value. Tulasi leaves will be ready to be harvested 80 to 90 days after the seeds are sown, Lamsal said.

Marketing of the leaves will be the responsibility of the Chautari. There is huge demand of Tulasi leaves for using it as tea and also of Tulasi seeds, hence there is no problem of market, said secretary of the Chautari, Moti Bhujel.