Inula racemosa Hook. f: A potential medicinal crop in the cold desert agro-ecosystem of North Western Himalaya, India

Abstract

Inula racemosa Hook. f. (Manu), a critically endangered medicinal herb, was studied in terms of its uses and cultivation practices and problems in the cold desert environment of the Lahaul valley in the North Western Himalaya. The roots of I. racemosa are used in traditional medicine, but are also of great economic importance due to the large demand by the pharmaceutical industry. Energy and monetary efficiencies of I. racemosa were characterized by output/input ratios of 0.69 and 5.91, respectively. A survey was conducted to establish reasons for the decline in the cultivation of I. racemosa. The lengthy cultivation cycle, prevalence of small land holdings and continuously fluctuating market prices were the main constraints stated by the interviewed farmers. The results of this study highlight the need for technical support, the establishment of value-addition centres and farmers’ federations as well as mechanisms to strengthen and stabilize the existing market in order to promote the cultivation of this endangered medicinal herb. Key words: Inula racemosa, medicinal and aromatic plant, cultivation, cropping efficiency, Lahaul valley, cold desert.