Question : Promotion of AYUSH

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

(a) whether the Government provides subsidy to the farmers to encourage cultivation of medicinal plant and herbs for AYUSH;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the target fixed, physical progress made and the Government aid/funds provided for the said cultivation in the country, State/ UT-wise including Rajasthan during the last three years and the current year, year-wise;

(c) whether the Government is promoting development of Ayurvedic medicine industry in medicinal plant farming cluster areas;

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(e) whether the Government has estimated the number of farmers involved in cultivation of medicinal plants receiving benefits under the AYUSH scheme and if so, the details thereof during the last three years?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS AND ADDITIONAL CHARGE OF MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF AYURVEDA,
YOGA & NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY
(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)
(a): Yes, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India is implementing medicinal plants component under Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH Mission (NAM) since 2015-16 to till date. Under ‘Medicinal Plants’ component of the NAM scheme, the Ministry of AYUSH is 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.


Ministry of AYUSH is supporting cultivation of medicinal plants on farmer’s land throughout the country by providing subsidy for 140 medicinal plants @30%, 50% and 75% of cost of its cultivation as per the Scheme.

(b): Under the medicinal plants component of National AYUSH Mission (NAM) scheme, Ministry of AYUSH has supported 35424 hectare area, 149 nurseries, 244 post-harvest management units etc. from the Financial Year 2017-18 to 2020-21. The details of activities supported under NAM scheme for medicinal plants component from the Financial Year 2017-18 to 2020-21 is given at Annexure – I. Ministry of AYUSH has approved / released an amount of Rs. 8965.00 lakh to the States / UTs for cultivation of medicinal plants under National AYUSH Mission (NAM) scheme throughout the country including Rajasthan during the last three years including current year. The detail is given at Annexure – II.

(c) & (d): Yes, Ministry of AYUSH is supporting subsidy for cultivation of medicinal plants to the farmers through State Implementing Agencies in cluster mode. Ministry of AYUSH has supported about 1554 clusters throughout the country under cultivation activities during the last three years. Detail is given at Annexure – III

(e): Ministry of AYUSH has supported approximately 14778 number of farmers for cultivation of medicinal plants component under National AYUSH Mission (NAM) scheme throughout the country during the last three years. Detail is given at Annexure – IV.