Question : EXPORT OF MEDICINAL PLANTS AND HERBS

THE MINISTER OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE(SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)

(a) India’s Share in the export of Medicinal plants and herbs in the global herbal exports as per United Nations trade database Comtrade, stood at 8.13%.  India is the second largest exporter of medicinal plants and herbs next only to China (28%). India’s trade stood at Rs.594.77crores during the year 2008-09 and the exports are growing at a compounded annual growth rate of 19.3%.The year-wise figures of exports are as under:

  India’s Herbal Exports

(figs in Rs. Crores)

2004-05	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09

Herbals	293.63	307.48	377.02	470.73	594.77

As per the provisional data available, Indian share in the export of medicinal plants and herbs in the global herbal market during the current year is Rs.685.14 crores. 

(b) & (c) Department of Commerce constituted a Task Force on “Strategy for Increasing Exports of pharmaceutical Products” which submitted its report during Dec. 2008 where in several recommendations were made for promotion of herbal exports including promotion of cultivation and promoting ayurvedic medicines as an alternate system of medicine for treatment of various diseases. The complete report is available on the website of the Department of Commerce. Several of the key recommendations are already being implemented by Department of AYUSH.

National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) in the Department of AYUSH is implementing a new “Centrally sponsored Scheme of National Mission on Medicinal Plants” with a total outlay of Rs. 630 crores during the 11th Plan. The scheme aims at supporting market driven cultivation of medicinal plants prioritized on the basis of their demand in the AYUSH and herbal industry. The scheme is being implemented in a mission mode in selected clusters through growers’ cooperatives, self help groups, producer companies, etc. with backward and forward linkages for nurseries, post-harvest management, marketing and quality certification.

(d) Department of AYUSH has undertaken various activities to promote the uses of AYUSH systems viz Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy for treatment of various diseases. The salient details of the activities are as under:-

(i) With a view to educating general public about these systems, Department of AYUSH has published various folders, booklets and leaflets and other publicity materials. These are distributed in the fairs organized by the Department as well as by other organization.

(ii) The Department has produced films, video spots and audio spots for promotion of AYUSH systems.These video spots are released over National network of Doordarshan and other channels.Copies of the films/CDs are distributed to various foreign delegations visiting this Department and are also taken by officers for display/distribution abroad in meetings/conferences and fairs.These films are also screened at various health melas and AROGYA Fairs.

(iii) With a view to promoting the systems among general public, the Department organizes Comprehensive Health fairs on Ayurveda,Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy in different parts of the Country.The Department also provides funds to the State Governments for organization of State AROGYA Fairs.

(iv) The Department releases advertisements in Newspapers from time to time for creating awareness about the AYUSH Systems.

(v) National Campaigns have been started on several themes on which AYUSH systems have proven strengths like geriatrics, maternal anemia, Homeopathy for Mother and Child Care, Yoga for Health, Campaign on Amla etc.

(vi) The Department funds seminars and conferences on AYUSH related subjects organized by Government and Non Government agencies.Financial assistance ranging from Rs. 2 lakhs to Rs. 5 lakhs is provided for the purpose.