VALUE ADDITION PATHWAYS OF Exacum trinervium (BINARA) AND Santaum abum (SANDLEWOOD)

Abstract

Value addition pathways of Exacum trinervium (binara) and Santa/um album (sandlewood) werestudied using information from literature, participatory discussions and indigenous knowledgevia personal communication. Exacum trinervium is em endemic and endangered species. Valueaddition pathways of E. trinervium includes direct selling of wild plants, breeding forornamental usage in Sri Lanka and the Netherlands, and for medicinal usage. Price of the plantscollected from wild ranges from Rs.2S-S0 per plant whereas prices of locally bred plants are Rs.60-70 per plant. Price of a pot of E. trinervium in the Netherlands is around Rs. 3500. ForSanta/um album collection, extraction of sandlewood oils for beauty-cultural industry,indigenous medicinal usage, woodcarving and export of timber to Pakistan are the value additionpathways. Price of a sandlewood at the age of 15 years ranges from Rs. 500-1000. Single tree ofsandlewood can yield about 11 of sandlewood oil. 'Pie price of 11of sandlewood oil is aroundRs. 40,000 in local market and US$ 4325 in interr ational market, which is mainly used forbeauty-cultural activities where there is no other synthetic or natural substance, has been foundto replace its fixative ability of sandlewood oil. Luxurious cosmetics, perfumes and sandlewoodsoap are produced using small amount of sandlewood oil. Timber of S. album is sold at Rs. 150-200 per kg, which is used for woodcarving. The carved items of sandlewood are priced at Rs.3000 per kg. These two species exemplifies the presence of various value addition pathwaysproviding ample opportunities for development of new industries and generation of incomethose have to be explored carefully.