(a) whether the Government has taken any steps for promoting the export of ayurvedic drugs/preparations in view of the increasing popularity of such drugs/preparations in the West;
(b) whether any incentives are being given to farmers producing medicinal plants ; and
(c) if so , the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE ( SMT. PANABAKA LAKSHMI)
(a) Government have taken a number of initiatives to facilitate export of Ayurvedic products to foreign countries. As export to the quality conscious Western countries pre-supposes assured quality products, pharmacopoeial standards have been developed for a number of Ayurvedic drugs. Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) has been made compulsory and manufacturers are being provided with incentives for developing in-house quality control laboratories and infrastructure for GMP compliance. Government also conduct market survey of medicinal plants/crude drugs from time to time to promote export of Ayurvedic/Herbal products. An exhibition of traditional medicine/ayurvedic medicine is organized annually during the World Health Assembly in Geneva.
(b)&(c): The Central Govenrment is implementing a Central Sector Scheme under which subsidy to the extent of 30% of the cultivation cost is given to the farmers for cultivation of medicinal plants. The other components of the Scheme include promotional activities, commercial activities and contractual farming of medicinal plants.