How Did the Ayush Manufacturing Sector Grow 8x in 10 Years?

Synopsis
The remarkable growth of the Ayush manufacturing sector, which expanded eightfold in the last decade, signals immense potential for economic enhancement and export. This meeting, featuring key stakeholders, aims to boost the cultivation and utilization of medicinal plants, highlighting the sector's pivotal role in post-pandemic recovery.
Key Takeaways
- Ayush sector growth has soared eightfold in a decade.
- Significant potential for economic development and exports.
- Collaboration among ministries is crucial for progress.
- Medicinal plant cultivation is key to enhancing domestic production.
- Establishment of clusters can support farmers and ensure fair pricing.
New Delhi, May 6 (NationPress) The Ayush manufacturing sector has experienced an impressive growth of eight times over the past decade, demonstrating substantial potential for enhancing the economy and exports, according to Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush.
During a stakeholder consultation meeting in the national capital, which included the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the focus was on promoting the cultivation and utilization of medicinal plants nationwide. Other ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, National Plant Medicinal Board (NPMB), State Horticulture Missions (SHMs), ICAR, State Medicinal Plant Boards, along with progressive farmers and key private sector players, participated in the discussions.
“There is a tremendous opportunity for growth in the Ayush sector. The manufacturing segment has expanded by eight times in the last ten years, with vast export potential. This sector presents significant economic prospects, particularly following the Covid-19 pandemic, which has led to a surge in demand for Ayush products including medicinal plants,” Kotecha stated.
Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary of the Agriculture Ministry, emphasized the potential for the Ayush sector to enhance domestic production of medicinal plants, facilitating inter-state trade and export.
“We need to improve collaboration between the Ministry of Ayush and Agriculture departments, as well as partnerships with State Medicinal Plant Boards, to boost the promotion of medicinal plants at a national level,” he remarked. Chaturvedi also highlighted the necessity for a mission-mode initiative for medicinal plant cultivation, focusing on identifying best practices and efficient techniques that would uplift the sector.
The meeting addressed opportunities for developing region-specific medicinal plant clusters, fostering partnerships between farmers and industry players to ensure guaranteed procurement and complete value chain development. Discussions included establishing dedicated mandis and marketing platforms to secure fair pricing for farmers and promoting research, training, and extension services to enhance stakeholder capacity.
Participants and stakeholders also proposed the identification of crop-specific zones for creating clusters dedicated to medicinal plants.
These clusters would concentrate on expanding areas, increasing production, forming industry partnerships, providing farmer training, and marketing through specialized mandis, ensuring profitable prices for farmers.
Experts underscored the importance of identifying policy interventions and financial incentives to encourage farmers to cultivate medicinal plants.