September 5: The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies and the Marma Rural Municipality of Darchula have signed a memorandum of understanding on conservation and processing of yarsagumba, a prized herb known for its medicinal value.    
Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Dilendra Prasad Badu signed the MoU for exchange of cooperation in setting up a centre for conservation and processing of the valuable herb 'yarsagumba' in Marma, Latinath of Darchula district. Marma is located in Api Nampa Conservation Area in Darchula district.    
As per the MoU the conservation and processing centre would be set up in collaboration with the private sector.    
On the occasion, Minister Badu said that the ministry has set an objective of conserving the fertile areas in the mountainous region of the country, including in the Sudurpaschim Province, where the valuable herb yarsagumba is found.    
He further said that more study and research on the coveted herb would be carried out. "We are starting the scientific study on yarsagumba and all its aspects," he added.    
According to him, the ministry has the objective of deputing expert teams to the areas across the country where yarsagumba is found, for the purpose of its study and research. He recalled that he had taken initiatives for setting up yarsagumba processing centre and for its conservation from the time he had been the Minister for Forests and Environment.    
Commerce Secretary Dr Toya Narayan Gyawali said yarsagumba is one of the valuable medicinal herbs that has introduced Nepal to the entire world. He said the ministry is vigorously working to export yarsagumba to the world market with the Nepali brand.    
Marma Rural Municipality Chairman Jaman Singh Dhami underlined the need of conserving this valuable herb and taking steps for its processing to boost the local economy.

"We are very excited with the signing of MoU for establishing of a yarsagumba processing centre in our locality," he said.   -- RSS