Zailay

Pakistani exports of high value plants generated over US$10.5 million in 2012 with a substancial percentage coming from Swat region alone according to a study conducted by USAID. Medicinal & Aromatic Plants (MAP) are in abundance in Malakand Region especially in Swat and Dir districts (more than 80 species including 24 High Value MAPs in Swat only). However, due to poor collection techniques, lengthy supply chain, lack of knowledge, and poor marketing strategies, market share in the global markets is quite low. We plan on improving quality of collection locally by training collectors and better preservation, and then marketing these products on the international market. We need strategists and marketing experts from other cities (and if possible, from the US).