Question : FARMING OF HERBS



(a) whether the Government provides assistance towards farming of herbs in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) if not, the reasons therefor?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI HUKUMDEO NARAYAN YADAV)

(a): Yes, Sir.

(b): A Central Sector Scheme on development of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants was approved for implementation in the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture during the IX Plan with the financial outlay of Rs. 14.50 crores. The scheme has been subsumed under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme on Macro Management in Agriculture Supplementation/Complementation of State Efforts through Work Plan with effect from 2000-2001, which provides flexibility to the state to take up programmes as per the needs.

The Components under the scheme include production and distribution of quality planting material, establishment and maintenance of herbal gardens, Nursery Centres, establishment of demonstration cum seed production plots, maintenance of regional analytical laboratories and transfer of technology.

(c): Does not arise.