MEDICINAL PLANT CULTIVATION IN INDIA : A PROFITABLE AGRIBUSINESS AMID COVID-19 CRISIS

Описание: With 15 AGROCLIMATIC ZONES, 17,000 TO 18,000 CATEGORIES OF BLOOMING PLANTS, of which 6000–7000 evaluated to have therapeutic properties shows the richness of our medicinal plants base.
The use of these medicinal plants is found in all Indian societies even though in different forms or methods. These detailings are mentioned and archived in Indian systems of medication, like Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Swa-rigpa, Homeopathy and various other traditional treatment methods. A rough estimate shows that around 960 TYPES OF MEDICINAL PLANTS ARE ASSESSED TO BE IN TRADE OF WHICH 178 SPECIES HAVE YEARLY CONSUMPTION LEVELS OF MORE THAN 100 METRIC TONES which when contrasted with the potential is undeniably not up to mark and there is definitely a huge scope for increasing.
We cannot ignore the huge gap in the supply and demand of medicinal plants to manufacture Ayurvedic medicines in India. According to the ‘ALL INDIA TRADE SURVEY OF PRIORITISED MEDICINAL PLANTS, 2019’, demand for high-value medicinal plants increased by 50%, while the availability declined by 26%. This led to increased habitat degradation and levels of over-exploitation by pharmaceutical industries. This also resulted in 65 species (i.e., 10% of the total species) falling into the critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable, and nearly threatened categories.
India’s cultural, social, literary, topographic diversities have provided us with s solid traditional health care practices that represent various old styles of medication and health maintenance, even though more scientific expedition into these horizons are needed. But, one can notice that this characteristic of the Indian so called old styled, folk health care traditions is primarily because raw material grown from an enormous multifarious variety of plant species roughly numbered to 6500.
The first candid attempt at the national level to survey the demand and supply of therapeutic plants in the nation was made by the National Medicinal Plant Board during 2001-02 to comprehend yearly trade levels of chosen 162 medicinal plant species. From that point, the NMPB in 2006-07 commissioned a national report to evaluate demand and supply of medicinal plants in India.
MEDICINAL PLANT FARMING – SUSTAINABLE & PROFITABLE?
We would like to say that the cultivation of medicinal plants in a commercial mode is one of the most profitable agribusiness sectors which can be undertaken by the farmers. Availability of sufficient land (owned or leased) and potential market availability can lead the farmers to a definite high returns model of business with moderate investment in India.
Cultivation of medicinal herbs like Shankhapushpi, Atis, kuth, kutki, kapikachhu, karanja, are changing the Indian agrarian Ayurvedic scenes along with the extraordinary opportunities for the farmers to increase their income.
The market for medical plants in India stood at Rs. 4.2 billion (US$ 56.6 million) in 2019 and is expected to increase at a CAGR 38.5% to Rs. 14 billion (US$ 188.6 million) by 2026. The total world herbal trade is currently assessed at US$ 120 billion. India’s share in the global export of herbs and herbal products is low due to unsophisticated agricultural and quality control procedures, lack of processing, research & development, standardisation in products and regulatory framework in trade of medicinal plants.

According to statistics and studies, 25 significant medicinal plants are ALWAYS IN FULL DEMAND. They are; Brahmi, Long Pepper, Indian Barbery, Licorice, Bael, Isabgol, Atis, Guggal, Kerth, Aonla, Chandan, Senna, Baiberang, Jatamansi, and Madhunashini, Kalmegh, Satavari, Ashwagandha, Chirata, Shankhpushpi, Ashoka, Giloe, kokum, Safed Musli and Katki.

PLANTS ELIGIBLE FOR 30% SUBSIDY
Total 55 species of medicinal plants in India are eligible for 30% subsidy including, Neem, Brahmi, Tulsi, Pippali, Isabgol, Ghritkumari, Dalchini, Tejpat, Kapoor, Chirmati, Vach, Adusa, Smaller Galanga, Kalmegh, Artemisia, Shatavari, Pashnabheda, Pinarnava, Senna, Patang, Sadabahar, Malkagani, Mandookparni, ShwetMusali, Arni, Aparajita, Patherchur, Shankhpushpi, Krsnasariva, Rotalu, Bringaraj, Amla, Kokum, Vai Vidang, Gudmar, Kapurkachari, Anantmool, Kurchi, Trivrit, Indian Crocus, Chandrasur, Konch, Bhumia mlaki, Bakuchi, Manjishha, Flannel Weed, Kathel-badhi, Makoy, Madhukari, Pawad, Arjuba, Bahera, Harad, Giloy, Nirgundi, and Aswagandha.
PLANTS ELIGIBLE FOR 50% SUBSIDY
Total 27 species including Katha, Beal, Mulethi, Shirish, Varun, Gambhari, Chitrak, Agnimanth, Beejasar, Ashok, Timoor, Patala, Rohitak, Sarpgandha, Indian Valerian, Prishnaparni, Hrddhatri, Archa, Vidarikand, Nagakeshar, Jivanti, Pushkarmool, Kalihari, Sarivan, Atropa, and Satvin.
PLANTS ELIGIBLE FOR 75% SUBSIDY
A total of 13 species of medicinal plants are eligible for a 75% subsidy including Chandan, Jatamansi, Atees, Agar, Guggal, Kutki, Raktachandan, Bankakri, Syonaka, Vatsnabh, Daruhaldi, Kuth, and Chirata.