Question : Farming of Herbs

Will the Minister of AYURVEDA, YOGA AND NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH) be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has formulated any scheme to promote the farming of herbs in view of the demand of domestic herbs in the International market, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government has any scheme to provide assistance for the farming of the said herbs and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether some special areas have been identified for the farming of the said herbs; and

(d) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

(a): Yes, Ministry of AYUSH is presently implementing Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH Mission (NAM). Under ‘Medicinal Plants’ component of the NAM scheme supporting market driven cultivation of prioritized medicinal plants in identified cluster/zones with in selected districts of States and implemented in a mission mode. As per the scheme guidelines, the support is provided for:
(i) Cultivation of prioritized medicinal plants on farmer’s land.
(ii) Establishment of nurseries with backward linkages for raising and supply of quality planting material.
(iii) Post-harvest management with forward linkages.
(iv) Primary processing, marketing infrastructure etc.


Under this scheme, subsidy @30%, 50% and 75% of cost of its cultivation is provided for cultivation of medicinal plants, depending upon the status of availability and market demand as per operational guidelines of the Scheme. Under the scheme financial assistance is also supported for Market promotion, farmer’s training, market intervention, buy-back intervention etc. under flexi component to aware the farmers about cultivation.

(b): Yes, under the medicinal plants component of National AYUSH Mission (NAM) Scheme, the Ministry of AYUSH is providing the financial assistance in form of subsidy for cultivation of medicinal plants/ herbs on farmer’s land and other related activities (Post-harvest managements Units, Nurseries, Collection Centres, Primary Processing Units etc.). The detail of financial assistance supported to the states / UT during the last five years is at Annexure - I.


(c) & (d): Yes, The NAM Scheme is being implemented through implementing agencies identified in States/ UTs (generally State Agriculture / Horticulture Departments / State Medicinal Plants Boards). The Financial assistance is provided as per the State Annual Action Plan approved for concerned State. Under this scheme, Ministry of AYUSH has been supported 48379 hectare area across the country from 2015-16 to 2019-20 The Detail is present at Annexure-II. For the current year (2020-21) the 22 state implementing agencies have submitted the State Annual Action Plans for medicinal plants component under NAM to cover an area of 16068.5 hectare throughout the Country for herb farming cultivation for the financial year 2020-21. The NMPB has evaluated an area of 13822.5 hectare for herbal cultivation throughout the Country. The Detail is present at Annexure-III.