The Government is aware that the quality of Ayurvedic medicines is dependent on the use of quality raw medicinal herbs.

Hence, with a view to ensure the availability of quality raw medicinal herbs for making quality Ayurvedic medicines, the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), Ministry of AYUSH has been promoting large scale cultivation of herbs / medicinal plants in a mission mode under “Medicinal Plants” component of “Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH Mission (NAM) which is being implemented since 2015-16 throughout the country. The “Medicinal Plants” component of the NAM scheme is primarily aimed at supporting cultivation of medicinal herbs / plants on farmers land with backward linkages through establishment of nurseries for supply of quality planting material and forward linkages for Processing and Post – Harvest Management including Marketing Infrastructure (drying sheds / storage godowns etc.).

Prior to NAM Scheme, the cultivation of medicinal herbs / plants was being supported under Centrally Sponsored Scheme of “National Mission on Medicinal Plants” of NMPB, Ministry of AYUSH which was implemented from years 2008-09 to 2014-15.

The scheme for cultivation of medicinal herbs / plants is being implemented through Mission Directors identified in different States / UTs who are mainly from State Agriculture / Horticulture Departments.

This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.