1. Challenges faced by Medicinal and aromatic plant sector. Santhan P, R&D centre, Natural Remedies Private Limited, Bangalore – 560100.

2. The Indian herbal market is rising sharply and is expected to hit Rs 14,500-crore mark with exports reaching Rs 9,000 crore. According to the study on ‘Herbal Industry Biz Potential’, currently, the Indian herbal market is worth Rs 7,000 crore ($1.7 billion) and India exports herbal raw materials and medicines worth over Rs 3,600 crore ($902 million). The World Health Organisation (WHO) has projected that the global herbal market will grow to $5 trillion(50 lakhs Crore) by 2050.

3. 17,000 species of higher plants 900 species are used in medicine 200 spp is used in bulk (200 – 4000 ton each) 190 species(fruits, flowers, spice crops, medicinal herbs, vegetables) are normally traded commodities. 400 species are exported as value added commodities.

4. Ayurveda Siddha Unani Homeopathi Physicans Pharmacists, Phytochemists Pharmacologists Vaidyas, local medicine practioners, crude drug vendors Agriculturist, Horticulturist Botanists Biotechnologist Aromatic and spices industry Medicinal and aromatic plant sector

5. Irregular demand and supply ratio Disproportionate revenue, adulteration issues Loss of active constituent in storage Pesticide, heavy metal and aflatoxin related issues (Rejection of extracts and finished products from foreign destinations, results huge loss to organizations) Biodiversity related guide lines: Regulatory guidelines

6. Unexpected market trend, over production or shortage Price variation is more than 50% in Turmeric, Ginger, Coleus. More quantity of fresh herb required to get dry mass, 10 : 1 ratio of dry and wet ratio, Low bulk density of herbs cannot load more quantity in a vehicle. Size reduction is not permitted because of quality issue.

7. National Biodiversity Authority of India provided guide lines to the research centres, commercial organizations dealing with Indian bio resources. Who ever uses herbs for commercial uses needs to inform and get approval from NBA. There are separate formats available for the domestic and international researchers and commercial producers. Violation of guidelines is punishable. State biodiversity authorities will process the forms in respective states

11. Each extract or product is standardized for a particular chemical constituent. Eg. Lagerstroemia speciosa (Banaba leaf )Chorosolic acid is considered as an active ingredient. In the Raw leaf it is 1- 6 % depending upon the age. On storage the content degrades, consequently extract is not meeting the required quality specification. Industry needs to extract the leaves immediately after harvest or need to take preventive measures in order to stabilize the active constituents

12. 1 Ocimum tenuiflorum, Tulasi; aerial part /leaf; demand 100 ton/Price Rs. 60/35; 120 dys crop; expected yield ;2 ton /acre 2 Phyllanthus amarus (Bhumi amla)aerial part, Demand 50 ton, Price rs 55/ kg dried herb, 100 days crop, expected yield around 1 ton per acre. 3 Andrographis paniculata – Kalmeg ; aerial part/leaf1000 ton, Price Rs. 30/kg, 6 month crop; Kharif crop750 kg /acre. 4 Asparagus racemosus – Shatavari, rootdemand 50 ton Rs. 130/kg, 24 month crop, expected yield 2ton dried roots per acre. 5 Salacia chinensis – Ekanayakam- root/stemrs 100/kg ; 5 year crop 5-6 ton per acre. Can be cultivated based on the buy back agreement.