The growing global recognition of ayurveda and other Ayush systems highlights India’s potential to become a global supplier of quality medicinal plants and plant-based wellness products, Ayush Minister Prataprao Jadhav said on Wednesday.
The minister made the remarks while addressing a one-day ‘Chintan Shivir’ on medicinal plants organised by the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) under the Ayush Ministry.
The event convened senior officials, subject experts, industry leaders, and state representatives to deliberate on policy, research and implementation strategies aimed at strengthening the medicinal plants sector through sustainable practices and innovation.
Jadhav said medicinal plants are not merely the foundation of India’s traditional knowledge systems but also a vital component of its biological and economic heritage.
The growing global recognition of ayurveda and other Ayush systems highlights India’s potential to become a global supplier of quality medicinal plants and plant-based wellness products, the minister said.
He observed that the theme of the Chintan Shivir perfectly aligned with the government’s focus on Viksit Bharat 2047 and the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision by empowering rural communities through sustainable livelihoods.
Jadhav emphasised that the medicinal plants sector provides unique opportunities for farmers, entrepreneurs and researchers to collaborate for a healthy, self-reliant India.
As part of the inaugural session, the minister released a souvenir commemorating 25 years of NMPB – The Terrace Garden Booklet – besides launching a new variety of Anacyclus pyrethrum developed by CSIR-CIMAP, Lucknow.
He also witnessed the signing of an MoU between the NMPB and the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) to strengthen collaborative research and innovation.
Jadhav highlighted that the government, under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has introduced several initiatives to promote the cultivation and sustainable utilisation of medicinal plants.
Institutions such as NMPB have played a key role in supporting farmers to grow high-value medicinal crops, especially in rainfed and marginal lands, he said.
These efforts, Jadhav said, not only generate income but also contribute to ecological conservation and public health security.
He also appreciated the efforts of the NMPB in strengthening backward and forward linkages, expanding market access, and ensuring quality and authenticity in the supply chain.
The minister urged all the stakeholders to continue their collective work toward developing a globally competitive, environmentally sustainable, and economically vibrant medicinal plants sector that serves both the nation’s farmers and the health needs of society.
Secretary in the Ministry of Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, underlined that NMPB’s silver jubilee was not just a milestone of achievement but also an opportunity for introspection and innovation.
The next phase of the journey must focus on scientific validation, traceability, and climate resilience to ensure that India’s diverse medicinal flora is conserved and optimally utilised in alignment with international standards, he said.
Kotecha also said that the ministry is working toward strengthening regional facilitation centres, research partnerships, and digital linkages for better coordination among the stakeholders.
Emphasising a collaboration between the academia, industry and farmers, he said the outcomes of the Chintan Shivir will guide a five-year roadmap to make the sector more productive, inclusive and globally competitive.
– Ends
Published On:
Feb 11, 2026
