|
 The Ayurvedic Medicine Manufacturers Organisation of India (AMMOI) recently hosted a pivotal state-level workshop at Thrissur in Kerala, marking a significant step in addressing the challenges faced by the country's Ayurveda sector.
Held at the Golden Jubilee Hall of the Ministry of MSME’s Training Centre, the event was a collaborative platform for industry leaders, government officials, and experts to discuss the crucial issues of conservation, promotion, and sustainable utilization of medicinal plants. The workshop coincided with the celebration of ‘Ayurveda Day’, underscoring the importance of the traditional Indian system of medicine in the modern context.
In his address, AMMOI general secretary Dr D Ramanathan set a clear agenda for the workshop, highlighting the need for greater collaboration and support from various government bodies. He called upon the National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB), the State Forest Research Institute (KFRI), the State Biodiversity Board (KSBB), and the Ministry of MSME to provide a more supportive environment for the cultivation of medicinal plants. Dr Ramanathan emphasized that the industry's growth is directly tied to the availability of high-quality raw materials, which necessitates proactive measures from these departments to ensure the quality of cultivated plants.
A major point of concern raised by Dr Ramanathan was the various restrictions imposed on the Ayurveda industry, particularly those related to the procurement of raw materials from natural sources. He pointed out that certain forest laws and the wild animal protection act restrict the collection of essential herbal and animal products needed for the production of quality medicines. He urged the government agencies to make necessary amendments to these laws to enable the industry to procure these crucial ingredients. Another key demand was the formation of an ‘Ayurveda Consortium’ under the leadership of the MSME and NMPB to streamline and support the cultivation of quality medicinal plants.
The workshop also addressed significant hurdles currently affecting the Ayurveda industry's operations. The notes from the session on this topic listed specific issues, including repeated Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) payments, cumbersome certificate getting procedures, and complications with the Form 3 declaration and levy collection. The consensus was that these bureaucratic challenges are stifling the industry's growth and require immediate and clear actions from the government to be resolved effectively. This highlighted the need for a more supportive and less restrictive regulatory framework to allow the industry to flourish.
The session on medicinal plants cultivation, led by Dr Mini Raj, delved into more specific, actionable strategies. She proposed a fundamental shift towards a market-driven and farmer-centric approach, which would directly link cultivation efforts to the specific demands of the Ayurveda industry. To encourage wider participation from the farming community, Dr Mini stressed the necessity of extending financial incentives, including subsidies. The speaker also highlighted that the current budget allocation of Rs 60 lakhs per annum for the sector is woefully insufficient and called for it to be increased to at least Rs 5 crores annually to make a tangible impact.
Another critical point raised in the session was the promotion of an integrated cultivation approach. This strategy involves aligning the cultivation of medicinal plants with existing cropping systems, which would help optimize resource use and significantly improve the benefit-cost ratio for farmers. This approach is crucial for making medicinal plant cultivation a viable and profitable venture for the farming community, addressing the twin objectives of ensuring farmer profitability and a consistent supply of high-quality raw materials for the Ayurveda sector.
In the concluding part of the plenary sessions, the moderator, Dr U M Chandrasekhara reinforced the core message of the sessions. He stated that field-level evidence consistently shows farmers are primarily motivated by assured industry demand, robust market linkages, and favourable economic returns. Therefore, a farmer-centric, market-driven approach is paramount. He highlighted that successful models adopted by some Ayurveda industries, such as actively working with farmers and establishing Producer Societies (FPS), should be replicated widely. This collaboration, he noted, would ensure mutual benefits for both the agricultural community and the industry, creating a sustainable and profitable ecosystem.
Dr. Yadh Mooss welcomed the gathering and Joyachan K Erinjeri, vice-president of the AMMOI, proposed vote of thanks to the audience. A total of 70 medicinal plant cultivators from across the state attended the workshop.
|