Introduction:


India and China are the two largest producers of medicinal plants having more than 40 % of the global biodiversity. India has one of the world's richest medicinal plant heritages with about 8000 species being used by rural communities. Out of this, about 880 species are in active trade with 48 being exported and around 42 species being imported. In India, cultivation of herbal and medicinal plants is estimated to provide regular productive employment to 10 million tribal and women. It is estimated that the export earnings through this industry would be raised to Rs.10000 crores by 2010 if proper strategic plan is executed by adopting a holistic approach to plan, production and marketing. With its vast biodiversity India has tremendous potential and advantage in this emerging area and the opportunities are plentiful in India.

 
     
Trade Facts:
  • Global trade - US $ 60 billion / year.
  • China and India dominates the international markets.
  • India - Second major exporter (over 10 percent of Global exports)
  • India's export turnover - Rs. 971 crores approx.
  • India exports 70 percent - as crude drugs and extracts and 30 percent as finished products.
  • The domestic market of Indian Systems of Medicine & Homoeopathy is of the order of Rs 4000 crores per annum, which is expanding day by day. The Ayurveda drug market alone is of the order of Rs. 3500 crores.
  • Medicinal Plant Industry Growth rate - 7 per cent per annum in India.

However, there are a host of issues like sustainable harvesting practices, conservation and sustainable use, suitable quality control and standardization as well as research and development, intellectual property rights, strengthening of national and international markets for herbal and medicinal plants. The event is expected to help addressing all such issues.

Indian Society of Agribusiness Professionals, an organization dedicated to betterment of rural livelihood is organizing the First International Buyer-Seller Meet and Conference on Herbal and Medicinal plants with International Arogya. This meet will be organized for a day during International Arogya on October 28, 2007 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi (India). Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is organizing International Arogya during October 26-29, 2007 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. This daylong Buyer-Seller meet & Conference will be organized by ISAP with the major support of National Medicinal Plant Board, Govt of India, Central Herbal Agro Marketing Federation, Ayurveda Drug Manufacturers Association of India, Indian Agribusiness Systems Private Limited (Agriwatch), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and International Competence Centre for Organic Agriculture.