Medicinal Plants Sector Key To Viksit Bharat 2047 Vision: Ayush Minister Prataprao Jadhav

The medicinal plants industry will play a pivotal role in advancing the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, Ayush Minister Prataprao Jadhav stated on Wednesday. He affirmed that medicinal flora form the foundation of India’s traditional knowledge systems.

Jadhav said they also represent a vital pillar of the nation’s biological and economic heritage.

The minister addressed a Chintan Shivir on Medicinal Plants. He said rising global acceptance of Ayurveda and Ayush systems positions India as a leading global supplier of high-quality medicinal plants and wellness products.

Prataprao Jadhav stressed that this momentum offers substantial export and enterprise potential.

Jadhav observed that the Shivir’s theme aligns closely with the government’s Viksit Bharat and Atmanirbhar Bharat agendas. He emphasised that structured development of this sector can generate sustainable rural livelihoods and strengthen grassroots economic resilience.

Prataprao Jadhav highlighted that the medicinal plants ecosystem presents distinct opportunities for cultivators, start-ups, scientists and industry stakeholders to collaborate.

Such partnerships, he said, will accelerate progress towards a healthier and self-sufficient nation.

The National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), under the Ministry of Ayush, organised the one-day deliberative session.

The minister commended the Board’s sustained efforts to reinforce supply-chain integration. He acknowledged its work in improving backwards and forward linkages, widening market access, and safeguarding product quality and authenticity.

Jadhav urged stakeholders to intensify coordinated action. He called for building a globally competitive, environmentally responsible and economically strong medicinal plants sector.

Jadhav said it must support farmers and meet the country’s growing healthcare needs.

Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, marked the NMPB’s silver jubilee as both a celebration and a moment for strategic reflection. He asserted that the next growth phase must prioritise scientific validation, end-to-end traceability and climate resilience.

These measures, he said, will conserve India’s medicinal biodiversity and align production with international benchmarks.

Five-Year Roadmap for Global Competitiveness

The Ministry continues to strengthen regional facilitation centres, research collaborations and digital platforms to improve stakeholder coordination.

Kotecha added that insights from the Chintan Shivir will inform a structured five-year roadmap aimed at enhancing productivity, inclusivity and global competitiveness.

Dr Mahesh Kumar Dadhich, Chief Executive Officer of NMPB, reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to fortifying the entire value chain through innovation, participatory engagement and sustainable cultivation practices.