Question : Export of Herbs and Herbal Medicines

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

(a) the details of the total export of herbs and herbal medicines during each of the last three years and the current year, country-wise and value-wise;

(b) whether India’s share in the total global export of herb and herbal medicines is very low and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) whether there is a huge demand for Indian herbs and herbal medicines in the European Nations and other developed countries and if so, the details thereof;

(d) the measures taken/being taken by the Government to boost the export and increase India’s share in the global export of herbs and herbal medicines; and

(e) whether the Government has formulated any scheme to promote the export of these products and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA,
YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY
(SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)
(a) to (c): Export of Herbs for last three years and the current year (value in USD Mn).
Commodity April-March 2016-17 April-March 2017-18 April-March 2018-19 April-September 2019-20
Plant and Plant Portion (Herbs) 288.76 329.83 319.33 149.93
Export of Herbal Products since April-March 2016-17 to November, 2018 (value in USD Mn)
Commodity April-March
2016-17 April-March
2017-18 April-November, 2018
AYUSH and herbal products 401.68 456.12 290.96

Country wise and value wise export of medicinal herbs (Plant and Plant Portion) including European nations and developed countries is placed in Annexure-I
Country wise and value wise export of AYUSH and Herbal Products including European nations and developed countries is placed in Annexure-II
India’s share in global export of Herbs is low due to following reasons:
• Lack of awareness about AYUSH systems in many of the countries
• Low Capacity building
• Industry focus is on domestic market
• Complexities of CITES and IUCN regulations
• Delay in Research and IPR approvals due to Biodiversity Act.
(d ) & (e): Ministry of AYUSH has signed 23 Country to Country MoUs for Cooperation in field of Traditional Medicine and Homoeopathy. 22 MoUs for undertaking Collaborative Research / Academic collaboration and 13 MoUs for setting up AYUSH Academic Chairs have been signed with foreign Universities. 33 AYUSH Information Cell have been set up in 31 countries to disseminate authentic information about AYUSH systems of Medicine.

For Global Promotion and propagation of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani medicines, WHO-GMP certification system has been made applicable to these medicines. Presently 17 Ayurvedic companies are WHO-GMP certified and are exporting products to various countries.

For global promotion and support to Indian Medicinal Plants sector, the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India has developed a standard “Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for bilateral cooperation in the field of medicinal plants”. So far, the bilateral MoUs for cooperation in the field of medicinal plants have been signed with Trinidad & Tobago, Sao Tome & Principe, Equatorial Guinea and Bangladesh.

To increase the export of AYUSH products, under Central Sector Scheme for promotion of International Cooperation, (IC Scheme), incentive are provided to AYUSH drug manufacturers, entrepreneurs, AYUSH institutions and Hospitals etc. for (i) registration of AYUSH products (Market Authorization) with regulatory bodies of different countries such as USFDA/EMEA/UK-MHRA/ NHPD (Canada) / TGA/MDA, etc. and (ii) for participating in international exhibitions/ conferences/ workshops/ seminars/ road shows/ trade fairs, etc.
Government has provided benefit of Transport and Marketing Assistance (TMA) scheme for the herbs falling under ITC HS subheading 121190. Under the said scheme assistance for international component of freight and marketing of agricultural produce is provided. This is reducing cost of transportation of exporters and promoting brand recognition of Indian agricultural products in International markets.
Under Market Access Initiative (MAI) scheme, Government of India provides financial assistance for undertaking various market access initiatives to increase country’s exports. Under the said scheme financial assistance is provided for organizing/participating in international trade fairs, buyer-seller meet etc., opening of showrooms/warehouses etc., public campaign, research & development, capacity building for up-gradation of quality, statutory compliances in the buyer country etc.
Government has provided higher incentive for herbs falling under ITC HS subheading 121190 under Merchandise Exports from India (MEIS) scheme for boosting country’s exports of herbs. Under the said scheme incentive @ 3%, 5% and 7% is provided.
Government in cooperation with Export Promotion Councils undertaking cluster development program for encouragement, guidance and skill development under the Niryat Bandhu Scheme.
For reduction of dwell time of import/export and cost of documents processing, Govt. has implemented several trade facilitation measures such as; reduction in documents for issuance of Importer-Exporter Code, reduction in mandatory documents required for import and export, Online issuance of licenses/scrips/certificates/documents required for import and export such as; Duty Credit Scrip under MEIS and SEIS, Advance Authorization license, EPCG license etc., Linking of Registration cum Membership data with DGFT server – this has eliminated the requirement of hard copy of Registration cum Membership Certificate etc.
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