whether the Government provide assistance for cultivation of medicinal
plants/herbs;
(b) If so, the details thereof; and
(c) The number of persons benefited from cultivation of medicinal plants/
herbs in the country particularly in Uttar Pradesh during the last two years,
State-wise?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI KANTI LAL BHURIA)
(a) & (b) : The Government is providing assistance for the cultivation of medicinal
and aromatic plants through Plan schemes. The Department of Agriculture &
Cooperation in the Ministry of Agriculture is providing assistance for cultivation
of medicinal and aromatic plants under the `Centrally Sponsored Scheme on Macro
Management in Agriculture-Supplementation /Complementation of State efforts
through Work Plan` which includes of integrated development of Medicinal and
Aromatic Plants. Under the scheme, the State Governments have the flexibility to
take up programmes for the development of agriculture and horticulture as per their
priority and felt needs. The National Medicinal Plants Board in the Department of
AYUSH, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is also providing assistance for the
cultivation of medicinal plants.
(c): As per the information received from Government of Uttar Pradesh, the number
of persons benefited in the state of Uttar Pradesh during last two years from cultivation
of medicinal plants/herbs were 460 and 372 for 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 respectively.
The state-wise information on number of beneficiaries during last two years is given
in Annexure.