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Medicinal plants and herbs yield astonishing therapeutic
results.
Bengal has a strong tradition in the field of
natural plant extracts for use in both ayurvedic and
allopathic medicines. There is a significant demand for
medicinal plants and herbs in the state as well as in India
and abroad. This demand particularly arises from
manufacturers of herbal medicine.
The state government has taken the initiative to set up the
State Medicinal Plant Board under the ‘Ministry of Health
and Family Welfare’ with the objective to assess the demand
and supply of medicinal plants, identify the foreign markets
for export of medicinal plants and provide training to
farmers on medicinal plants.
Point to be noted:
India has been identified as one of the potential eight
countries that can take active part in the world trade of
medicinal plants because 15,000 different varieties of
medicinal plants have been found here.
• Raw material availability in the state:
Medicinal Plants:
•
The state grows 145 different types of medicinal plants,
which are extremely in demand and have enormous business
prospects.
•
Out of these 145 medicinal plants, the State Medicinal Plant
Board has put emphasis on the cultivation of 32 such
medicinal plants, which have very good potential in the
domestic as well as international market.
•
The names of 32 prospective medicinal plants are as follows:
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Amlaki |
Arjun |
Ashok |
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Aswagandha |
Bel |
Bhumi Aaamloki |
|
Rokto Kanchan |
Bohera |
Brahmi |
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Grihtakumari |
Guloncho |
Horitoki |
|
Kakmachi |
Kalmegh |
Kurchi |
|
Neem |
Sarpagandha |
Tulsi |
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Bamunhati |
Bishalanguli |
Brihoti |
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Chatim |
Gambhari or Gamar |
Nayantara |
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Nishinda |
Shankarjota or Pricniporni |
Parul |
|
Satamuli |
Shonak |
Shalpani |
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Brihngoraj |
Hijol |
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Aromatic Plants:
The
State Medicinal Plant Board also encourages farmers to
cultivate various aromatic plants like:
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Ekangi (Chandromuli)
•
Safed musli
•
Ginkgo biloba
•
Citronela/Pamaroza gash
•
Zirenium
Places
where seeds/seedlings of medicinal plants are available:
•
Bidhanchandra Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia
•
Agri-Horticulture Society of India, Alipore, Kolkata
•
Lokshika Parishad, Ramakrishna Mission, Narendrapur
Some
of the Export oriented buyers of medicinal plants in the
state, who can be contacted by the harvesters of medicinal
plants
Assistance available in Medicinal Plant Projects:
Central government financial assistance of up to 30% of the
project cost (a maximum limit of Rs. 9 lakh) provided
through National Medicinal Plant Board. The State Medicinal
Plant Board acts as a facilitator here. In case of
individual project, Bank loans could be arranged at lower
rate of interest.
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