In many parts of Nepal, people have started cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) and high value non-timber forest products (NTFPs), but finally they got frustration due to lack of market to sell their products. In the other hand, there is high demand of MAPs and NTFPs in Nepal and many pharmaceutical companies importing MAPs and NTFPs from India. This is a real scenario in Nepal. It happens because people are doing farming of MAPs and NTFPs without collaborating with buyer in the system of production. It is thus envisioned market as prime factor to drive cultivation as intercropping so that it could be model project to demonstrate successful private people partnership.
Project will be implemented in the Abun VDC of Tanahu district. It will focus to the poor, dalit, women and marginalized people of the Abun VDC. Total 360 households from nine villages wards will be benefitted from the project. The project planned to cultivate following types of crops namely, MAPs and NTFPs, spice crops like Zinger and turmeric, energy crops, and organic farming of high value vegetable crops with Pongomia, Jatropa and Zizyphus tree species. The project will collaborate to Gorkha Ayurved Company which will buy all MAPs and for Everest Biodiesel Company to buy energy crops. Thus it is expected that income of rural community will be increased by adapting intercropping practices of MAPs and other high value NTFPs. The multipurpose species will be selected for degraded leasehold forest where only Banmara bush is growing and increasing the practice of organic vegetable farming. Plantation will increase greenery and help for carbon sequestration too.