The National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), under the Ministry of Ayush, on Wednesday organised a one-day Chintan Shivir at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi to outline a forward-looking roadmap for the sustainable development of India’s medicinal plants sector. The event marked 25 years of the NMPB and brought together senior government officials, subject experts, industry representatives, and state stakeholders to deliberate on policy, research, and implementation strategies.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, inaugurated the Shivir as Chief Guest. Addressing the gathering, he said medicinal plants form the backbone of India’s traditional knowledge systems and represent a vital component of the country’s biological and economic heritage.
Highlighting the growing global recognition of Ayurveda and other Ayush systems, the Minister said India has the potential to emerge as a leading global supplier of high-quality medicinal plants and plant-based wellness products. He noted that the theme of the Chintan Shivir aligns closely with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and Atmanirbhar Bharat, particularly in empowering rural communities through sustainable livelihood opportunities.
“The medicinal plants sector offers unique avenues for farmers, entrepreneurs, and researchers to work together in building a healthy and self-reliant India,” he said, adding that cultivation of high-value medicinal crops—especially in rainfed and marginal lands—not only enhances farmers’ incomes but also contributes to ecological conservation and public health security.
During the inaugural session, Jadhav released a commemorative souvenir marking 25 years of NMPB, along with a Terrace Garden Booklet aimed at promoting medicinal plant cultivation. He also launched a new variety of Anacyclus pyrethrum developed by CSIR-CIMAP, Lucknow. The event witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NMPB and the Agharkar Research Institute to strengthen collaborative research and innovation in the sector.
Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, described the silver jubilee of NMPB as a moment for both celebration and introspection. He emphasised the need for greater focus on scientific validation, traceability, and climate resilience to ensure the conservation and optimal utilisation of India’s rich medicinal flora in line with international standards.
He said the Ministry is working to strengthen regional facilitation centres, research partnerships, and digital linkages to enhance coordination among stakeholders. The outcomes of the Chintan Shivir, he added, would help shape a five-year roadmap aimed at making the sector more productive, inclusive, and globally competitive.
Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser in the Ministry of Ayush, Hoveyda Abbas, stressed the importance of fiscal discipline and timely release of funds for effective project implementation. He called for greater participation from states and Union Territories and encouraged the adoption of innovative financial models to expand outreach to local communities engaged in medicinal plant cultivation.
Dr. Mahesh Kumar Dadhich, CEO of NMPB, said the Chintan Shivir was conceptualised to review achievements of the past 25 years and chart the future course of the sector. He reiterated the Board’s commitment to strengthening the entire medicinal plants value chain—from conservation and cultivation to processing and market access—through innovation and stakeholder collaboration.
The Shivir is set to feature technical sessions and expert panels on research and development, traceability and quality assurance, industry collaboration, and best practices in conservation and cultivation. The deliberations are expected to inform the policy framework for the next phase of growth of India’s medicinal plants sector, positioning it as a driver of sustainable development and global leadership in traditional medicine.