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.
