U’khand’s new identity in medicinal plants boosts rural economy: T S Rawat
PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
In response to a question raised in Lok Sabha by the Haridwar MP and former chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, the Union Ministry of AYUSH has shared detailed information about the ongoing schemes for conservation, development and promotion of cultivation of medicinal plants in the country.
The Minister of State (independent charge) in the Ministry of AYUSH, Prataprao Jadhav, in his reply, informed that the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) has done extensive work in the last five years for conservation, promotion and sustainable management of medicinal plants across the country.
As far as Uttarakhand is concerned, a total of 26 projects have been approved for which funds worth approximately Rs seven crore have been released- something which indicates that Uttarakhand is becoming a leading state in the country in the development and cultivation of medicinal plants.
The Ministry also informed that, starting in 2023-24, work is underway under an integrated component to strengthen the supply chain of medicinal plants, promoting quality planting material, marketing, processing and value addition. This initiative aims to bring approximately 2,000 hectares of area under medicinal plant cultivation across the country.
To simplify and make the marketing of medicinal plants transparent, “e-Charak” mobile application has also been launched, which is proving helpful in connecting farmers with markets across the country, providing price information and establishing contact between buyers and sellers.
Rawat affirmed in the House that in view of the geographical and biodiversity of Uttarakhand, there are immense possibilities for medicinal plants and the schemes of the Central Government have accelerated the realisation of these possibilities.
“Cultivation of medicinal plants will play an important role in increasing the income of farmers as well as establishing Uttarakhand as an herbal hub,” he said and expressed his gratitude to the Central Government and the Ministry of AYUSH. “The rural economy of the state is looking up thanks to the blending of traditional knowledge and modern market system,” he added.
