Natore: The country's only herbal village has emerged as a significant heritage site in Natore. Visitors frequent the village, often leaving in awe of its extensive production capabilities. The village produces approximately 15,000 tons of aloe vera annually, along with 140 other medicinal herbs such as Shimul root and Ashwagandha, collectively valued at over Tk 100 crore.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the herbal village spans 15 cluster areas under Laxmipur-Kholabaria Union in Natore Sadar Upazila. Located along the main union road, the herbal fields offer a striking landscape. The initiative began in 1995 when Afaz Pagla of Kholabaria started cultivating medicinal plants for his own herbal medicine practice. This practice gradually expanded throughout the village and the union, with medicinal plants now visible on croplands, around homesteads, along roadsides, and near riverbanks.
The Natore Sadar Upazila Agriculture Office reports that 140 species of medicinal plants thrive in Laxmipur-Kholabaria, with aloe vera, shimul root, and ashwagandha among the most notable. Out of 155 hectares of cultivated land, 70 hectares are dedicated to aloe vera farming. Approximately 1,200 tons of shimul root are harvested annually from 50 hectares, while 12 tons of ashwagandha are grown on 10 hectares. Nearly 2,000 farmers in the union are engaged in medicinal plant cultivation.
The aloe vera planting season typically runs from November to February, after the monsoon. Farmers plant about 10,000 aloe vera saplings per bigha, with leaves ready for harvest within three months. Cultivation requires approximately 100 laborers per field year-round. Organic fertilizers, along with urea, TSP, MOP, gypsum, zinc, and boric acid, are used, while lime prevents black spots on leaves. Trichoderma and pheromone traps are employed to control pests.
Farmer Md. Haris noted the challenges posed by a prolonged monsoon, which led to plant rot and increased seedling prices. Despite these setbacks, he remains optimistic about future harvests. The village lacks aloe vera processing facilities, necessitating the direct shipment of fresh leaves to pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies, including Hamdard and Taiwan Hsin Lin Enterprises.
Dried and processed herbs contribute to herbal medicine production, distributed through approximately 100 businesses across four trading centers. Kazi Kabir Ahmed, a local herbal business owner, highlighted the market's activity, with daily sales averaging around Taka 80,000. Herbal grower Md. Zainal Abedin called for the establishment of cold storage and cosmetic manufacturing facilities to enhance local benefits.
Md. Shahidul Islam, president of the local herbal cooperative, advocated for a medicinal plant research center to maintain product quality and attract industry interest. Natore Sadar Upazila Agriculture Officer Nilima Jahan reported that around 10,000 people are involved in various aspects of herbal cultivation and marketing. The village's scope is continually expanding, with officials like Md. Habibul Islam Khan emphasizing the potential benefits of additional infrastructure.