Factors affecting the market viability of medicinal plants – The case of the tamu (local market) of West Coast , Sabah

Traditional medicinal plants may be a reliable source of income for rural folks in developing societies. As they are increasingly monetized the question of market viability is becoming a matter of concernThis article analyses factors affecting the market viability of medicinal plants in the local market or tamu of West Coast, Sabah. Data were collected through observation and interviews in Penampang, Ranau, Tamparuli, Tuaran and Pekanabalu involving a total of 26 medicinal plants sellers between the age of 35 and 78 years old. The focus was to identify market viability factors that influence the sellers’ decision to continue selling medicinal plants. Ten such factors were obtained from the study,namely, source of income, demand, prices, opportunity, culture, technology, traditional knowledge, access, abundance dan productivity. In general, all three are equally important factors in influencing the market viability of medicinal plants for the study area.