JHAPA: Herbs worth around Rs 81 million were exported from the Kakadbhitta customs checkpoint in the fiscal year 2023/24. According to the Quarantine Office, Kakadbhitta, herbs including chiraito (swertia), rittha (soapberry), majitho (rubia cordifolia) and satibayer (rhus parviflora) were exported during the review period.

A total of 160 metric tonnes of swertia worth Rs 48 million were exported during the period.

Farmers in Taplejung, Panchthar, Ilam, Tehrathum, Sankhuwasabha, Dhankuta, and Bhojpur are engaged in the commercial farming of swertia.

Similarly, 83 metric tonnes of rubia cordifolia worth Rs 16.5 million, 151 metric tonnes of soapberry worth Rs 9.69 million, and 24 metric tonnes of chutro (barberry) worth Rs 1.2 million were exported in the last fiscal year, added the office. -- RSS