Nepal, Sept. 13 -- Sudurpaschim is considered one of Nepal's richest regions for medicinal herbs, with the potential to collect around 6,271 metric tonnes annually.

Nepal exported 5,526 tonnes of herbs nationwide last fiscal year, according to a 2021 report by the Trade and Export Promotion Centre. Based on the average export value, the province could potentially earn around Rs 1.24 billion annually from herb exports.

Yet nearly nine years into federalism, Sudurpaschim still has neither an Ayurvedic medicine manufacturing industry nor a herb processing centre. No comprehensive feasibility study has even been conducted on processing herbs and producing medicines in the province.

Experts say political leaders frequently highlight the sec...