Prospects of export of herbs
Monday, 1 December 2008
Fahima Siddiqui
IT is significant that only about 20 per cent of Bangladesh's 150 million people, visits allopathic doctors for treatment. A major part of the rest of the population depend on herbal treatment of which the unanni and ayurvedic systems are the favourite. Of course, the homeopathic treatment is also favoured in Bangladesh. And this system also depends a great deal on medicines derived from plants and herbs.
The Chinese herbal system of treatment is fast gaining ground among some sections of the population. Cost is a factor why so many people in the country opt for these alternative systems. Herbal treatment is relatively cheaper. But its popularity stems from the effectiveness of the treatment, with virtually no side-effects.
But the unani and ayurvedic systems have not been developed by scientifically testing the properties of the ingredients. Companies like Hamdard, however, produces their medicines after teasting the ingredients. The drugs produced by Hamdard -- which is a giant among herbal medicine producers -- are no less safe than mainstream producer of conventional allopathic medicines. However, other companies in the ayurvedic sphere are probably not doing as good a job as Hamdard. They should follow the Hamdard.
Quacks also produce and practise herbal treatment. And there is nothing in Bangladesh to regulate them. This is a matter of serious concern. Quacks need to be regulated. Besides, there should be facilities to study the herbal system of medicine in properly organised campuses. The government should provide the funds and support to them for research for scientific development of herbal medicines.
The farming of medicinal plants and herbs can also be a lucrative business. Bangladesh now spends, according to a rough reckoning, about Taka 500 million for the import of herbs or herbal extracts to produce medicines. The entire amount can be saved if the medicinal plants and herbs are commercially grown in the country. Not only that, there are prospects for export of medicinal plants, herbs and herbal extracts from Bangladesh. It would need plantation and standardization of products for export.
A study suggests good commercial prospect plantation of herbs in the fallow land of the tea estates, on the hill slopes in Chittagong and Sylhet. Farmers can go for commercial plantation on small strips of homestead land elsewhere in rural Bangladesh. Cultivation of medicinal herbs and plants would provide employment and income to the people in the grassroots and export earning for the country.
The existing export market for herbal products as raw materials is worth $62 billion. This is most likely to expand several fold within next 15 or 20 years. It should be incentive enough for businesses in Bangladesh to take up medicinal plants and herbs for export.
IT is significant that only about 20 per cent of Bangladesh's 150 million people, visits allopathic doctors for treatment. A major part of the rest of the population depend on herbal treatment of which the unanni and ayurvedic systems are the favourite. Of course, the homeopathic treatment is also favoured in Bangladesh. And this system also depends a great deal on medicines derived from plants and herbs.
The Chinese herbal system of treatment is fast gaining ground among some sections of the population. Cost is a factor why so many people in the country opt for these alternative systems. Herbal treatment is relatively cheaper. But its popularity stems from the effectiveness of the treatment, with virtually no side-effects.
But the unani and ayurvedic systems have not been developed by scientifically testing the properties of the ingredients. Companies like Hamdard, however, produces their medicines after teasting the ingredients. The drugs produced by Hamdard -- which is a giant among herbal medicine producers -- are no less safe than mainstream producer of conventional allopathic medicines. However, other companies in the ayurvedic sphere are probably not doing as good a job as Hamdard. They should follow the Hamdard.
Quacks also produce and practise herbal treatment. And there is nothing in Bangladesh to regulate them. This is a matter of serious concern. Quacks need to be regulated. Besides, there should be facilities to study the herbal system of medicine in properly organised campuses. The government should provide the funds and support to them for research for scientific development of herbal medicines.
The farming of medicinal plants and herbs can also be a lucrative business. Bangladesh now spends, according to a rough reckoning, about Taka 500 million for the import of herbs or herbal extracts to produce medicines. The entire amount can be saved if the medicinal plants and herbs are commercially grown in the country. Not only that, there are prospects for export of medicinal plants, herbs and herbal extracts from Bangladesh. It would need plantation and standardization of products for export.
A study suggests good commercial prospect plantation of herbs in the fallow land of the tea estates, on the hill slopes in Chittagong and Sylhet. Farmers can go for commercial plantation on small strips of homestead land elsewhere in rural Bangladesh. Cultivation of medicinal herbs and plants would provide employment and income to the people in the grassroots and export earning for the country.
The existing export market for herbal products as raw materials is worth $62 billion. This is most likely to expand several fold within next 15 or 20 years. It should be incentive enough for businesses in Bangladesh to take up medicinal plants and herbs for export.