They got al their plant stock from Thailand, all hybrids, all designed for the flower trade. Nothing wrong with that. But few Assam entrepreneurs will be able to get that much of capital together to import plant stock from Thailand or Malaysia or Taiwan to embark on a flower trade.
Cloned and cultivated native species (not hybridized) plants have a good potential with amateur growers, that is easily done and raised. In fact I am willing to become the first buyer for such plants. I know enough orchid lovers around here that I can sell the first couple hundred plants in a week:-).
But the CITES certification ( that they are nursery grown and not plundered from the wild habitats, like most are now--and that they are not on the endangered list)) and the disease free lab. certification are the hurdles.
Imagine a state that has just ONE water testing lab. in the entire region, to test for arsenic and fluoride levels in drinking water-- none in Guwahati -- while large areas are suffering from fluoride pollution in drinking water, the chances of credible lab. certification for orchids?
c
At 1:27 PM +0800 5/4/05, Anjan K. Nath wrote:
I asked while I was there last summer and was told that India (or Assam) Carbon has started something in that line (you can see their displays at the Guwahati Airport). Can't be sure if they have started exporting.
AKN
----- Original Message ----- From: "Ram Sarangapani" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Assam" <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, May 04, 2005 3:15 AM Subject: [Assam] NE - a global herbal destination - HT
I have always thought herbs and orchids could be some of the best exports from the NE. Both have good worldwide demand. Does anyone know if there is any organized center for orchid exports/trade in Assam?
--Ram
Northeast could be global herbal destination
HindustanTimes.com New Delhi, December 16
India's Northeast could soon turn out to be a major global herbal destination, with hundreds of herbal experts in the region staking a claim to the $65-billion world market for alternative medicines.
At least 300 tribal herbalists in Meghalaya have formed an institution - the Khasi School of Medicine - to promote and market the region's more than 500 exotic medicinal plants.
"There are herbs available in the region having cures for ailments from cancer to burns and epilepsy to paralytic strokes, besides a host of other diseases," Alka Kharsati, a woman alternative medicine practitioner in the state capital Shillong, said.
"All we need is patronage from the Indian government to make this unorganised sector grow into a full fledged industry," said Kharsati, 35.
President APJ Abdul Kalam has taken a personal initiative to market the region's rich biodiversity.
"The northeast has the potential to become a powerful economic zone if you tap the rich biodiversity available in the area in the right way," the president told herbalists from Meghalaya in New Delhi last week.
"You would get all the help and support to turn the region into a major herbal destination."
Said John Karshiing, chairman of the Khasi School of Medicine: "Earlier, herbalists in the state were carrying out with their practice individually, but now more than 300 of them would be able to work under a common platform, share their expertise and skills in treating various ailments."
Already a number of herbalists in Meghalaya have got international recognition, and they receive patients from several countries. Many get cured.
"I have travelled to Britain, the US, France, besides other countries on invitations. People from countries like Spain came to my clinic for treatment," said John Wessly Kharduit, 49 and another tribal herbalist.
Anita Bali, 47, of San Francisco, was confined to the wheelchair with multiple sclerosis and doctors who treated her saw little chance of a cure. However, she was determined to find a healer.
Accompanied by her mother, Bali came to Shillong and met the herbal healer.
"Kharduit's herbal medicines, physical therapy and fomentations have worked wonders. It seems miraculous that I can walk," she said. "Kharduit is doing God's work."
Some practitioners claim they have the cure for AIDS, but the medical fraternity does not want to approve the medicine unless its power is scientifically proved.
"In remote areas where there are no medical doctors, it is herbalists like us who have been treating people for decades," Kharduit said.
"There are so many diseases we have cured with herbs but then with no proper research and documentation, our work goes unnoticed."
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