Medicinal Plant Cultivation: Current Scenario, Challenges, and Opportunities from Indian Farmer’s Perspective

Abstract

Objective: Plants are the source of medicine in Ayurvedic, allopathic & Unani systems. Globally 72000-77000 (17-18%) of the world’s flora is currently utilized for medicinal purposes. More than 200 therapies employed by different cultures to treat physical and psychological ailments use medicinal plants as curative medicines, substantiating the immense scope for commercial medicinal plant cultivation. This present study was undertaken to find out the difficulties, challenges and opportunities in medicinal plant cultivation from the perspective of farmers in the state of Odisha, India, and to suggest possible support that could promote medicinal plant cultivation. Material and Methods: A survey was conducted among 700 farmers using a questionnaire containing 15 items related to socioeconomic status, challenges and opportunities. Results: The study revealed that the education of most of the farmers was below high school; 61% of the participants had their own land, with 10 to 15 years of farming experience. The majority were not into medicinal plant cultivation. The major challenges for medicinal plant cultivation were found to be marketing, finance, climate, lack of experience and training, government support and labour. Support from the government will encourage the medicinal plant cultivation. Conclusion: Many of the farmers are not aware of the demands and support schemes by the government. Serious gaps were seen in availing government support schemes in medicinal plant cultivation by farmers, leading to limited success and productivity. There is a need to create awareness among the farmers regarding the benefits of medicinal plant cultivation and related training programmes to increase production and productivity of medicinal plants substantially. Support from the government will encourage medicinal plant cultivation.