MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC CROPS (2+1)

Origin and distribution

• It is indigenous to the Persia and West Asia, extending upto the Sutlej, Sind and West Pakistan.
  


• The plant is also acclimatized well in Mexico and in the Mediterranean regions.
  


• It has been introduced in India and cultivated specially in Gujarat and some parts of Rajasthan.
  
• At present Isbgol has acquired the place of ‘dollar earner’ crop of North Gujarat.

Area and production

• Isabgol is cultivated in about 50,000 hectares in India, with major areas falling under Gujarat and Rajasthan. The estimated annual production of isabgol is 50 metric ton and India earns foreign exchange valued up to Rs.80 crores every year through export of psyllium husk.