CCA approves National Mission on Medicinal Plants

New Delhi, Jul 24 (UNI) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs today cleared the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Mission on Medicinal Plants at a total outlay of Rs 630 crore.

The scheme would help in developing medicinal plants sector through production of raw material of quality and standardized constituents for use by the AYUSH/Herbal industry and as well as for exports.

These steps would enhance the quality and acceptability of AYUSH systems of medicine and promote export of value added items for an increased share in the world market.

The scheme will be implemented by the National Medicinal Plants Board, through the Department of Ayush during the 11th Plan.

The Mission, by 2011-12 proposes to cover 80,000 to 1,00,000 hectares of land under medicinal plants through direct financial assistance.

Farmers will be given incentives for switching over from traditional crops to medicinal plants in areas where infrastructure for quality planting material, processing, warehousing, marketing, quality testing and certification is promoted through cooperatives of growers, self help groups, corporate among others.

About 200 nurseries will be established, both in public and private sector, for making available planting material of certified quality. The interventions are expected to generate approximately 6 crore mandays of employment by the year 2011-12.

UNI NAZ Mir BD1530