Cluster Model to Boost Medicinal Plant Farming; Farmers to Receive Financial Support

A high-level consultation meeting was held on Monday at Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi, with the objective of promoting the cultivation and utilization of medicinal plants. The meeting was co-chaired by the Secretaries of the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and the Ministry of AYUSH.

The meeting witnessed participation from senior officials of the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Ministry of AYUSH, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), State Horticulture Missions, ICAR, State Medicinal Plant Boards, progressive farmers, and leading private entrepreneurs engaged in the medicinal plant sector.

Scope for Increasing Production and Trade of Medicinal Plants:

During the opening remarks, Shri Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, highlighted the vast potential for increasing domestic production, inter-state trade, and exports of medicinal plants in India. He emphasized the need for enhanced coordination between the Ministry of AYUSH and agricultural departments, along with collaborative efforts involving State Medicinal Plant Boards.

Shri Chaturvedi also stated that medicinally valuable plants have been included under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH). He called for mission-mode implementation of promotional programs, identification of best farming practices, and improved cultivation techniques.

AYUSH Sector Witnesses 8-Fold Growth:

Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH, noted the significant growth potential in the medicinal plant sector. Over the past decade, the AYUSH manufacturing sector has grown eightfold, with exports also seeing a sharp rise. He further stated that the demand for AYUSH products and medicinal plants has surged post the COVID-19 pandemic, making this sector economically promising.

Key Strategic Initiatives for Sectoral Growth:

• Several action points were discussed during the meeting to ensure holistic development of the medicinal plant sector:
• Exploration of cluster development models for medicinal plants based on regional suitability.
• Strengthening partnerships between farmers and industry stakeholders to ensure assured procurement and robust value chains.
• Establishment of dedicated marketplaces and marketing platforms for medicinal plants to help farmer’s secure fair prices.
• Promotion of research, training, and extension services to build capacity across all stakeholders.
• Participants suggested identifying crop-specific zones for cluster-based development, incorporating aspects such as area expansion, production, industry linkages, farmer training, and effective marketing to ensure profitable outcomes for farmers.

Financial Incentives to Encourage Medicinal Plant Farming: In his concluding remarks, Shri Priya Ranjan, Joint Secretary, Department of Horticulture, emphasized the importance of identifying suitable policy interventions and financial incentives to attract farmers toward medicinal plant cultivation.

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