Table 1 shows the price of raw materials os some medicinal plants and other high value crops.

Table 1. Prices of raw materials of some medicinal plants and other high value crops (Source: Information gathered from the Manager of Altermed as per consultative meeting last May 3, 2002)

Based on the information generated by ERDB from the pilot project on the integration of medicinal plants as agroforestry crops, the following are the projected income return per hectare of four scientifically validated medicinal plants

1. Ampalaya (Makiling variety): leaves - Year 1

  • No. of harvests: 48 (twice/week x 4 weeks x 3 mo. X 2 crop season) - Amount (Php) 48,000.00
  • Total fresh weight (kg per year): (1,000 kg/harvest)
  • Weight after drying (kg per year): P7,200.00 (48,000 kg x 15% recovery)
  • Estimated cost of production:
    • Cost of materials (seeds, organic Fertilizer, and pesticides, etc.): P106,200.00
    • Cost of labor (land preparation, clearing, Harvesting, air drying, etc.): P792,000
  • For drying of materials with additional cost of Oven type dryer & maintenance: P120,000.00
  • Gross income on fresh leaves at Php30.00/kg: P1,440,000.00
  • Gross income on dried leaves at Php300.00/kg: P2,160,000.00
  • Estimated net income on fresh leaves: P421,800.00
  • Estimated net income on dried leaves: P1,141,800.00

2. Sambong: leaves - Year 1

No. of harvests: 2 (six months after planting & 3 months thereafter Harvest done twice a year). Estimated cost of production Amount in (Php):

  • Cost of planting materials for 1 ha With spacing of 0.5 x 1.0 meters (20,000 plants/ha x Php10.00/plant): P200,000.00
  • Cost of labor (clearing, planting, maintenance, Harvesting 10 persons at Php250.00/day for 48 hours): P120,000.00
  • Cost of soil management: P5,000.00
  • Cost of pest management (non-use of pesticides) 10,000.00
  • Cost of water management: P2,000.00
  • Total cost of production for fresh materials: P337,000.00
  • Gross income for fresh leaves (Estimated harvest: 60% yield 12,000 kg/ha x Php20.00/kg of fresh leaves x 2 harvest): P480,000.00
  • Net income of fresh leaves: P143,000.00

In dried leaves

  • Additional cost of oven drying operation and management: P110,000.00
  • Gross income for dried leaves (Basis: yield 24,000 kg/ha/yr of fresh leaves x 15% recovery x Php300.00/kg delivered): P1,080,000.00, Less: Total cost of production for dried leaves: 447,000.00
  • Estimated net income on dried leaves: P633,000.00

3. Lagundi: leaves - Year 1

No. of harvests 2 (six months after planting & 3 months thereafter Harvest done twice in a year). Estimated cost of production: Amount (Php):

  • Cost of planting materials for one hectare with Spacing of 1.0 x 1.0 meter (10,000 plants/ha x Php10.00/plant): P100,000.00
  • Cost of labor (clearing, weeding, planting, maintenance and harvesting): 10 persons at Php250.00/day for 48 days): P120,000.00
  • Cost of soil management: P5,000.00
  • Cost of pest management (non-use of pesticides): P10,000.00
  • Cost of water management: P2,000.00
  • Total cost of production for fresh materials: P237,000.00
  • Gross income for fresh leaves (Estimated harvest: yield 10,000 kg/ha x Php20.00/kg of fresh leaves x 2 times harvest): P400,000.00
  • Estimated net income on fresh leaves: P163,000.00

In dried leaves

  • Additional cost of oven drying operation and management: P110,000.00
  • Gross income for dried leaves (Basis: yield 20,000 kg/ha of fresh leaves/yr x 15% recovery x Php300.00/kg delivered): P900,000.00, Less: Total cost of production for dried materials: P347,000.00
  • Estimated net income on dried leaves: P553,000.00

4. Acapulco: leaves - Year 1

No. of harvests 4 (four months after planting & 2 months thereafter Harvest done four x in a year) Estimated cost of production: Amount (Php):

  • Cost of planting materials (Php10.00/plant), Population density 3,000 plants/ha with spacing of 1.5 m x 1.0 m: P30,000.00
  • Cost of labor (clearing, planting, maintenance, and harvesting: 10 persons at Php250.00/day for 48 days): P120,000.00
  • Cost of soil management: P5,000.00
  • Cost of pest management: P 10,000.00
  • Cost of water management: P2,000.00
  • Total cost of production of fresh materials: P167,000.00

Additional cost if dried

  • Air drying + oven drying: P20,000.00
  • Cost of oven type dryer + maintenance: P90,000.00
  • Total cost of production for dried materials: P277,000.00
  • Gross income for fresh leaves: P400,000.00
  • Gross income for dried leaves (Basis: yield 40,000/kg/ha/yr fresh leaves x 15% recovery x Php100.00/kg):
    • Estimated net income on fresh leaves 233,000.00
    • Estimated net income on dried leaves 323,000.00

To summarize the production process, Figure 1 below shows the different stages of activities in the production of medicinal plants before the delivery of raw materials to the manufacturing plant. (Source: Data gathered from the interviewed done with Mr. Alex Parducho, Farm Manager, Altermed Corporation)

Using the basic information, any individual, cooperative, or corporation could venture into the herbal and medicinal products enterprise. There is a market for raw materials produced

Figure 1. Stages of activities in the production of medicinal plants

List of some producers of herbal and medicinal product in the Philippines [click to enlarge]

For more information, contact:

Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Central Office: Visayas Avenue, Diliman,
1100 Quezon City, Philippines
Telephone: +63-2-929-6626
Email: web@denr.gov.ph
Web: www.denr.gov.ph

Compiled by Aurora S. Jose, photo from fm2.fieldmuseum.org

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6 Responses to “Financial Viability of Medicinal Plant Farming”

  1. 6
    xai Says:

    hi, im on the process of my thesis now about medicinal plants. can you please send me some information about proper approach on planting medicinal plants..like ampala,lagundi and other medicinal plant that has already in the market..it is BIG help fo my proposed thesis..thank you and GOD bless!
    (laurio_zaira@yahoo.com)

  2. 5
    Leo Says:

    @jamie, here’s additional info for lagundi:
    http://www.philippineherbalmedicine.org/lagundi.htm

  3. 4
    jamie Says:

    hello, Im interested in planting lagundi plants, are there any books or seminars that may help me? please send some information on my email. many thanks!

  4. 3
    Leo Says:

    @bambi, please check “Related Posts”.

  5. 2
    bambi Says:

    I’m also interested to know medicinal plant farming. Can you pls share info
    on this matter such as seminar or workshop video?
    Thanks.

  6. 1
    ester Says:

    please help! i want to put up a business in medicinal farming/herbal plants. if you can give me referral on where can i attend a seminar, buy herbal plants and were can i market my product. please email me. easterbergonia@yahoo.com

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