Commercial Cultivation of Medicinal Plants in Tamilnadu

Tamilnadu is a strategic geographical location holding a major share in cultivation and export of more than 50 medicinal plants. As traditional crops are no more economical to the dry land farmers, medicinal plants have higher demand in the market and found to be highly remunerative than traditional dry land crops. Some of the medicinal plants which are under cultivation in waste lands of the state are Senna (Cassia Angustifolia), Periwinkle (Vinca Rosea), Coleus (Coleus Forskholii), Keelanelli (Phyllanthus Niruri), Sadavari (Asparagus Racemosus), Medicinal Solanum (Solanum Khasianum), Aswagantha (Withania Somnifera), Aloe (Aloe Vera), Glory Lily (Gloriosa superba) and Poonaikali (Mucuna Pruriens). Though the cultivation of Senna is spread across many parts of Tamilnadu, the plant Gloriosa Superba is chosen for the detailed study as it is found concentrated in Karur District. Gloriosa superba is cultivated by a large number of farmers in Aravakurichi, Darapuram, Dindigul, K. Paramathi and Markampatti, Moolanur and Oddanchatram areas of the state.