1.1 Background of Study:Agriculture is the key sector of the Nepalese economy which provides employment opportunities to 66% of total population and contributes about 39% in GDP with 13% of the total foreign trade of the country (Department of Agriculture of Nepal, 2013).
So the development of agriculture is the key for the development of the national economy. Along with the agricultural crops, Nepal is also famous for the growth of medicinal herbal plants. Among these, Aloe Vera is important herbal plant.Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) is a specific species of Aloe. There are over 400 species of Aloe Vera plants in the Lily Family.
Aloe plants tend to grow 80-100 cm tall. New plants mature in 4-6 years and can survive for nearly 50 years in favorable conditions. They have thick, green leaf-like structures that grow from a central point. Aloe does not have a typical stem like other plants do, it is a stemless plant. These leaf-like structures have spiky edges that protect the plant from being consumed easily. Aloe Vera is classified as a succulent plant.
Typically succulent plants grow in areas of the tropics or subtropics.But some plants, like Aloe Vera, can survive quite well in arid areas. Succulent plants are water retaining plants. They store water in their leaves, stems, and roots to prepare for times of little or no rain. The plant can survive in hot temperatures ranging all the way to 104 degrees Fahrenheit all the way down to below freezing temperature as long as the root of the plant is not damaged.
Aloe Vera is native to North Africa and the Caribbean. The finest Aloe grown today is grown in the Southern California desert region Aloe is grown largely in South Texas, USA, Mexico, India, South America, Central America, Australia and Africa. It is commonly called Miracle plant, Healing plant, Plant of immortality, Fountain of youth.Aloe species are frequently cultivated as ornamental plants both in gardens and in pots being highly decorative. Some species, in particular Aloe Vera are purported to have medicinal properties used in alternative medicines and in home first aid.
In homeopathic medicine aloe is used for hemorrhoids. In India Aloe Vera has been referred to as "kumari’ in Ayurvedic treatments. Some selected number of aloe species valued for their beauty and ornamental value. Aloe use has been documented for thousands of years.
There has been partial historic documentation on the evolution of Aloe Vera and its use in past times. It has been rumored that Egyptian queens, such as Cleopatra and Nefertiti used Aloe Vera in their routine beauty regiments. It was also mentioned in the bible that Jesus has his hands wrapped with Aloe after being hung from the cross to soothe the pain and help heal his wounds.Aloe Vera has been a popular house plant often called the ‘miracle plant’ or the natural healer’. It flourishes in warm and dry climates.
There are around 400 species of aloe, but it is the Aloe Barbadensis Miller (Aloe Vera or ‘true Aloe’) plant which has been of most use to mankind because of medical properties it displays. Aloe Vera is a plant of great potential and value in the field of therapeutics, pharmaceuticals and cosmetic industries. Aloe Vera plant get quickly established during dry and rainy season after which hardly requires any irrigation. However, light irrigation is essential in planting.
In Nepal, Terai is most suitable to grow Aloe Vera.Aloe Vera is bused in skin - care products example: shampoo, cream, herbal powder, etc. by various national and international companies. It is useful in treating constipation, cough sinus, wounds, ulcers, diabetes, cancer, liver disorder, kidney disorder, headaches, arthritis, asthma, tuberculosis, immune system deficiency and anti- inflammatory, to treat dandruff & sticky hair and many more.Chitwan lies in the inner Terai in the southern part of Nepal.
Agriculture makes up the important sector in Chitwan. Along with the production of agricultural crops, Chitwan is also famous for medicinal herbal plants. Among which, Aloe Vera is popularly grown in recent days. Palm Agrotech & Bio- Energy Nepal Pvt. Ltd.
is a Nepali company which came into operation on 14th of Ashad 2067 B.S. with its head office in Bharatpur – 10, Hakimchowk, Chitwan. This company is commercially cultivating a best species of Aloe Vera.1.
2 Statement of Problem:This research will be done to find out different conditions, difficulties and problems faced by farmers and related people during Aloe Vera cultivation. Some of the reasonable questions regarding the Aloe Vera cultivation are as follows:Are all the farmers well educated about the cultivation of Aloe Vera? What kind of land is fertile for cultivation? How can its cultivation affect the business? Whether insecticides, pesticides and other organic fertilizers have been used or not? Are the farmers benefited from the cultivation of Aloe Vera or not?1.3 Objectives of Study:The objectives of the report will be the following:To understand the maximum use of tools and techniques for the cultivation, To know the affects of cultivation on business, To identify different employment opportunities provided by it, To analyze the potential and scope of Aloe Vera cultivation, To make people aware of the importance of Aloe Vera.1.4 Importance of Study:The research may provide necessary details to the agriculture department by helping make appropriate decision as it focuses on the conditions, problems and importance related to Aloe Vera cultivation, This study would also may provide information to concerned researchers who further want to research in this field, It would also be beneficial for small entrepreneurs who want to start their business in this field, The business people who desire to work on this field can also be benefited by the study, Moreover, every individual will also be benefited by the study and knowledge of information of Aloe Vera.
1.6 Limitations of Study:The topic itself, at a glance, seems to be vague enough for analysis regarding the limitations of the scope and potential of Aloe Vera cultivation. The other limitations are as follows:Due to limited time factor, optimum number of samples couldn’t be taken, Due to limited cost, the research process wasn’t as desired, The sample chosen may not represent whole population, Since the study use mainly primary source of data collection, information provided might be more biased and inconsistent, The data provided during the research might not be accurate sometimes so certain information could be based on assumptions, The data collected might not be totally reliable.Related of related studies2.1 Literature Review:Cultivation:- Aloe Vera is a succulent plant species that is found only in cultivation, having no naturally occurring populations, although closely related aloes do occur in northern Africa.
The species is frequently cited as being used in herbal medicine since the beginning of the first century AD. Aloe Vera’s use can be traced back 6,000 years to early Egypt, where the plant was depicted on stone carvings. Known as the “plant of immortality,” Aloe was presented as a burial gift to deceased pharaohs.Aloe Vera has been widely grown as an ornamental plant.
The species is popular with modern gardeners as a putatively medicinal plant and for its interesting flowers, form, and succulence. This succulence enables the species to survive in areas of low natural rainfall, making it ideal for rockeries and other low water-use gardens. The species is hardy in zones 8–11, although it is intolerant of very heavy frost or snow. The species is relatively resistant to most insect pests, though spider mites, mealy bugs, scale insects, and aphid species may cause a decline in plant health. In pots, the species requires well-drained, sandy potting soil and bright, sunny conditions; however, Aloe plants can burn under too much sun or shrivel when the pot does not drain the rain.
The use of a good-quality commercial propagation mix or packaged "cacti and succulent mix" is recommended, as they allow good drainage. Terra cotta pots are preferable as they are porous. Potted plants should be allowed to completely dry prior to re-watering. When potted, aloes become crowded with "pups" growing from the sides of the "mother plant", they should be divided and repotted to allow room for further growth and help prevent pest infestations. During winter, Aloe Vera may become dormant, during which little moisture is required. In areas that receive frost or snow, the species is best kept indoors or in heated glasshouses.
Large-scale agricultural production of Aloe Vera is undertaken in Australia, Bangladesh, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, China, Mexico, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa along with the USA to supply the cosmetics industry with Aloe Vera gel. This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.2.2 Potential and Scope:Aloe Vera has been the subject of scientific study for the last few years, along with other members of the Aloe genus regarding several claimed therapeutic properties. Man has used aloe therapeutically for over 5000 years.
Different parts of the plant are used for different effects on the body and Aloe Vera has both internal and external applications.Aloe Vera contains over 200 active components including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, polysaccharide, and fatty acids- no wonder it’s used for such a wide range of remedies. The bulk of the Aloe Vera leaf is filled with a clear gel-like substance, which is approximately 99% water.According to Kew Gardens, England's royal botanical center of excellence, Aloe Vera has been used for centuries and is currently more popular than ever. It is cultivated worldwide, primarily as a crop for "Aloe gel", which comes from the leaf.Aloe Vera is widely used today in: Food - it is approved by the FDA (U.
S. Food and Drug Administration) as a natural flavoring Cosmetics Food supplements Herbal remedies The earliest records of Aloe Vera being used by humans appear in the Embers Papyrus (Egyptian medical papyrus) from 16th century BC. According to a study published in the Indian Journal of Dermatology, in ancient Egypt they called Aloe Vera "that plant of immortality". The authors added that the plant has been used therapeutically for many centuries in China, Japan, India, Greece, Egypt, Mexico and Japan.
Pedanius Dioscorides (circa 40-90 AD) a Greek physician, pharmacologist and botanist, mentioned Aloe Vera and its therapeutic qualities in "De Mataria Medica", a 5-volume encyclopedia about medical substances and herbal medicine - it was widely read for over 1,500 years.Gaius Plinius Secundus (AD 23-79), better known as Pliny the Elder, a Roman author, naturalist, and natural philosopher, mentioned Aloe Vera's therapeutic benefits in "Natural History", an early encyclopedia - one of the major single works to have survived from the Roman Empire.Aloe Vera is among the few medicinal plants by virtue of their extensive medicinal, nutraceutical and other uses enjoy a major chunk of the market across the globe. The major markets for Aloe Vera and its extracts are Australia, US and the entire Europe. Despite the ideal climatic conditions for the cultivation of Aloe Vera, we have not been able to exploit. The reasons are simple: lack of cultivation and processing know-how.
Given the exponentially growing demand for it in the international market, Aloe Vera presents the finest commercial opportunity among the various medicinal plants. Also India is among the few countries gifted with the unique geographical features essential for cultivation of Aloe Vera and other high potential medicinal plants. Yet the country has not realized and reaped the full potential of such plants. The reason is simple: lack of the requisite expertise. Fortunately, the technology is now accessible to individual and corporate entrepreneurs to make the most of aloe through mainstream cultivation.According to Himalyan Agri Herbals Pvt.
Ltd., a conservative estimate puts the monetary value of current global trade in medicinal plants at over US$60 billion. With the increasing interest in ‘natural’ products across the world and the resultant upsurge in the demand for medicinal plants, this trade is expected to grow up to 5 trillion by the year 2050. Aloe Vera is among the few medicinal plants by virtue of their extensive medicinal, nutraceutical and other uses enjoy a major chunk of the market across the globe.
The major markets for Aloe Vera and its extracts are Australia, US and the entire Europe. A recent study carried out to identify the plants to focus on, in order to posit ion the Indian medicinal plants sector on its growth path with a long-term up to the year 2020, has identified 45 plants. Given the exponentially growing demand for it in the international market, Aloe Vera presents the finest commercial opportunity among the various medicinal plants. Also, India is among the few countries gifted with the unique geographical features essential for cultivation of Aloe Vera and other high potential medicinal plants.
