(双语)
Farmers in India's northern state of Himachal Pradesh are now growing herbs instead of traditional crops such as rice, wheat and corn. They are trying to save their farms from monkeys eating their crops.
印度北部希马恰尔邦的农民现在种植药用草本植物，而不是传统作物，如大米、小麦和玉米。他们试图这样就能免受猴子的破坏。
For years, farmers have fought a losing battle with increasing numbers of the red-faced rhesus macaques. The animals invade farms in several northern Indian states, searching for food and destroying crops worth millions of dollars.
多年来，随着越来越多的红脸恒河猴的出现，农民与其的斗争已经输了一次。这些动物入侵印度北部几个州的农场，寻找食物并摧毁价值数百万美元的农作物。
Many have given up on farming because of the monkey problem. Officials estimate that 40 percent of the farmland in the area is unplanted.
由于猴子的问题，许多人已经放弃了种植。有关官员称这个区域有40%的土地已经被荒置了。
Agriculture experts say switching to herbs will protect farmers' crops and bring higher profits.
农业专家说通过转向种植药草，既能保护作物免受猴子破坏，还能获得更高的收益。
Monkeys do not attack crops such as aloe vera, an herb with medicinal properties. Farmers can make more money as demand for herbs increases from Indian companies making medicinal and personal care products. India's herbal product industry is worth $4 billion and growing quickly.
猴子不会攻击诸如芦荟之类的农作物，芦荟是一种具有药用价值的草本植物。随着印度制药和个人护理产品公司对草药需求的增加，农民可以赚更多的钱。印度的药草产业价值40亿美元，而且增长迅速。
Arun Chandan is regional director at the National Medicinal Plants Board for North India. He told VOA, "We teach farmers the kind of crop they can grow according to the soil, the water and air in that area, what market exists for it and how he can increase his income by two or three times..."
Arun Chandan是印度国家北部药用植物委员会的区域主任。他对美国之音说：“我们教农民根据该地区的土壤、水和空气，以及该地区的市场情况，以及他如何将收入增加两三倍等条件来决定种植作物的种类，”
Some farmers have already starting planting herbs with help from the medicinal plants board. The group provides planting material and training. Farmer Bipin Kumar in Magroo village says he has planted aloe vera, stevia and lemon grass. He now plans to expand to other herbs.
He added that the herbs survive even in relatively drier soils and are not damaged by dense fog that is common in the hills.
一些农民已经在药用植物委员会的帮助下开始种植草药。他们提供种物资支持和相关培训。Magroo村的农民Bipin Kumar说，他种植了芦荟、甜菊和柠檬草，他还计划种植其他种类药草。他补充说，即使是在相对干燥的土壤中，草本植物也能存活下来，并且不会受到山上常见的浓雾的破坏。
Experts have listed about 100 herbs that can be grown on the empty farmland where villagers stopped growing crops.
专家们列出了大约100种的草药，它们可以生长在那些农民不再耕种的白地上。
So far, nearly 4,000 farmers have switched to growing herbs in seven North Indian states. In Himachal Pradesh, the number is 300.
到目前为止，印度北部七个州已有近4000名农民转而种植药草。在Himachal Pradesh邦，这个数字是300。
Arun Chandan says the most successful farmers have strong business sense and are willing to innovate. His organization also links farmers in distant villages with possible buyers to make sure they can market their crops.
Arun Chandan说，最成功的农民有很强的商业意识，愿意创新。他的组织还将偏远村庄的农民与可能的买家联系起来，以确保他们可以出售他们的作物。
Monkeys are also becoming problems in cities, including India's capital New Delhi. They are famous for stealing food and even mobile phones.
猴子也成为城市的问题，包括印度首都新德里。他们以偷窃食物甚至手机而出名。
In December, experts gave lawmakers advice on dealing with monkeys often seen around parliament. The experts advised leaving the animals alone and not making eye contact.
去年12月，专家们就如何对付国会中经常见到的猴子向立法者提供了建议。专家们建议不要让这些动物单独接触，不要与它们有眼神接触。
The monkey population has increased since India banned their export for biomedical research in 1978.
自从印度1978年禁止出口用于生物医学研究以来，猴子的数量一直在增加。
But many in Hindu-majority India respect and feed the animals. They link the monkeys to the Hindu god Hanuman, who takes the form of a monkey.
但许多信仰印度教区域的人们尊重并喂养动物。他们把猴子和印度教中的神汉努曼联系在一起，汉努曼以猴子的形式出现。
英文原文来自51VOA news
打油者说翻译。