Dhantelo seeds have prospects in Humla

Summary

Women in Humla still process dhantelo by hand, with little access to modern harvesting or seed-extracting equipment. Locals say the crop has commercial potential, with dhantelo oil and seeds already selling inside and outside the district.

Key Points
  • Women in Humla continue to harvest and process dhantelo manually because modern equipment is lacking.
  • Dhantelo oil has recently sold for as much as Rs. 1,000 per litre, and both the oil and seeds are traded.
  • Locals say the thorny crop is labor-intensive but could become a strong source of income if cultivated commercially.
  • Dhantelo is also sold outside the district for massage oils and cosmetic products.
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