NMPB Boosts Medicinal Plants Sector with Extensive Training and Support for Farmers

From the financial year 2015-16 to 2023-24, NMPB has made substantial contributions to the sector, focusing on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Field Collection Practices (GFCP), among other areas.

The National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), under the Ministry of Ayush, has significantly advanced the cultivation and management of medicinal plants through a series of training programs and support initiatives aimed at farmers and stakeholders across India. From the financial year 2015-16 to 2023-24, NMPB has made substantial contributions to the sector, focusing on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Field Collection Practices (GFCP), among other areas.

Key Achievements and Initiatives:

Farmer Training and Capacity Building:

Training Projects: NMPB has supported numerous projects to train farmers on GAP and GFCP. Between 2015-16 and 2023-24, a total of 14,352 farmers benefited from these initiatives.

Voluntary Certification Scheme: In collaboration with the Quality Council of India (QCI), NMPB funded the "Capacity Building cum Sensitization Proposal for Voluntary Certification Scheme for Medicinal Plant Produce (VCSMPP)." Through this project, QCI conducted 76 training programs, educating 4,408 farmers on GAPs and GFCPs.

Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Activities:

NMPB has provided financial assistance for 240 projects focused on IEC activities, including awareness programs, exposure visits, and capacity-building events. These activities cover various aspects of medicinal plants such as conservation, cultivation, post-harvest management, and marketing.

Research and Development:

Project Support: NMPB has funded 39 projects under research and development to address critical areas such as post-harvest management, heavy metal assessment, integrated pest management, and the development of agro-techniques. The outcomes of these projects are disseminated through trainings and IEC activities.

Central Sector Scheme:

The NMPB implements the Central Sector Scheme on "Conservation, Development and Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants" which supports:

IEC Activities: Including training, workshops, seminars, and conferences.

Nursery Establishment: For the cultivation of medicinal plants.

Conservation Efforts: Both in-situ and ex-situ.

Livelihood Linkages: With various local committees and groups.

Research & Development: Focused on advancing practices and technologies.

Promotion and Marketing: Enhancing the trade and marketability of medicinal plants.

Integrated Supply Chain Support:

Quality Planting Material: Support for infrastructure to raise quality planting material.

Post-Harvest Infrastructure: Facilities to improve marketability and reduce losses.

Quality Testing and Certification: Ensuring the standard of raw materials.

Year-Wise Breakdown of IEC Projects: NMPB has meticulously recorded the year-wise details of projects approved under the Information Education and Communication component of the Central Sector Scheme, reflecting a steady commitment to enhancing the medicinal plants sector.

This comprehensive support underscores NMPB's dedication to promoting sustainable practices and advancing the medicinal plants industry through targeted training, research, and infrastructure development.