(a) the details of country’s trade in herbs during each of the last three years and the share of India in global herbal trade at present;
(b) whether the share of India in global trade of herbs is very low despite cultivation of various types of herbs in the country;
(c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
(d) the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to increase the country’s share in the global market of herbs?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(SHRI C. R. CHAUDHARY)
(a) : As per the information provided by Shellac and Forest products Export Promotion Council (SHEFEXIL), the details of country’s trade in herbs during each of the last three years are as under :
Value US$ Million
2014-15 2015-16 2016-17
PLANT & PLANT PORTION (Herbs) 261.84 274.14 289.07
The share of India’s exports in world imports of Plant &Plant portions (Herbs) during 2016 is estimated to be 4.32% based on International Trade Centre (ITC) trade data.
(b) to (d): Yes Madam, the share of India’s presence in global trade of herbs is low due to huge domestic/national consumption of herbal raw material. For sustainable availability of the herbal raw material in the country and to promote the global trade, the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), Ministry of AYUSH is supporting large sale cultivation of medicinal plants under its Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH Mission (NAM). Under the scheme there is a component on “Medicinal Plants” which is primarily aimed at supporting cultivation of medicinal plants on farmers land with backward linkages through establishment of nurseries for supply of quality planting material, and forward linkages for post-harvest management. The cultivation of medicinal plants is supported by providing subsidy @ 30%, 50% and 75% on cost of cultivation to farmers through the identified implementing agency of concerned state. The assistance is provided as per the State Annual Action Plan approved for concerned State.
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