Feb 11: The National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), under the Ministry of Ayush, organised a one-day Chintan Shivir on Medicinal Plants at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, marking 25 years of the Board’s establishment. The event brought together policymakers, scientists, industry leaders and state representatives to outline a future-ready roadmap for the sustainable growth of India’s medicinal plants sector.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, inaugurated the Chintan Shivir and described medicinal plants as a cornerstone of India’s traditional knowledge systems and biological heritage. He stated that the sector holds immense potential to position India as a global leader in quality medicinal plants and plant-based wellness products.
Medicinal Plants to Power Viksit Bharat 2047
Highlighting the alignment of the initiative with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and Atmanirbhar Bharat, the Minister said the medicinal plants sector can empower rural communities through sustainable livelihoods. He emphasised that farmers, entrepreneurs and researchers must collaborate to build a healthy and self-reliant India.
Shri Jadhav noted that government initiatives have encouraged the cultivation of high-value medicinal crops, particularly in rainfed and marginal lands. These efforts generate income opportunities while contributing to ecological conservation and public health security.
During the inaugural session, the Minister released the commemorative souvenir marking 25 years of NMPB, the Terrace Garden Booklet, and launched a new variety of Anacyclus pyrethrum developed by CSIR-CIMAP, Lucknow. He also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NMPB and research institutions to strengthen collaboration and innovation in the sector.
Roadmap for Scientific Validation and Climate Resilience
Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, described the silver jubilee as both a milestone and an opportunity for introspection. He stressed that the next phase of growth must focus on scientific validation, traceability, quality assurance and climate resilience to meet global standards.
He added that the Ministry is working to strengthen regional facilitation centres, research partnerships and digital platforms to improve coordination among stakeholders. The outcomes of the Chintan Shivir will shape a five-year roadmap aimed at making the medicinal plants sector more inclusive, productive and globally competitive.
Fiscal Discipline and State Participation
Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser, Shri Hoveyda Abbas, highlighted the importance of fiscal discipline and timely fund utilisation for effective implementation of NMPB projects. He encouraged greater participation by states and Union Territories and assured continued institutional and financial support from the Ministry.
CEO of NMPB, Dr. Mahesh Kumar Dadhich, said the Chintan Shivir was conceptualised to review achievements over the past 25 years and chart the path ahead. He reiterated the Board’s commitment to strengthening the entire medicinal plants value chain—from conservation and cultivation to processing and marketing—through innovation and stakeholder engagement.
Strengthening the Value Chain
The event also featured key releases and collaborations to commemorate the 25th anniversary of NMPB. The English version of the commemorative booklet and the Terrace Garden Booklet were unveiled to promote best practices in cultivation. A new high-value medicinal plant variety was introduced to support farmers, and research partnerships were formalised to boost innovation.
Technical sessions during the Chintan Shivir will deliberate on research and development, industry collaboration, conservation strategies and quality standards. These discussions aim to reinforce India’s global leadership in traditional medicine and medicinal plant exports.
As India advances toward its 2047 development goals, the Chintan Shivir has set a clear direction for building a resilient, sustainable and globally competitive medicinal plants sector.