SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY OF MEDICINAL PLANTSTHROUGH DOMESTICATION IN MADHYA PRADESH.

摘要

Traditional medicine is one of the important health care systems practiced widely in India. A wide variety of medicinal plant species occur in Madhya Pradesh which is the second largest state in the country. The medicinal plant markets have grown tremendously in past few years in the state, but over exploitation has led to depletion of natural resources.A study was undertaken in Madhya Pradesh (Bhatnagar, 2010) to find out medicinal species in great demand by Indian systems of medicine (ISM) and the need for their domestication. Most of the ISM industries surveyed (n= 371) revealed that out of 92 indigenous medicinal species utilized by Ayurvedic industries, 23 species were cultivated in farms. Thus, one fourth of medicinal plants are sourced from farms. Some medicinal species have been in cultivated sector in western Madhya Pradesh since decades likeWithania somnífera, Lepidium sativum, Plantago ovata, Mentha arvensis and Cassia angustifolia as well established market has stimulated their cultivation. Last decade saw extensive farming by small farmers with support from National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB). A number of medicinal species were tried with mixed results. Aloe vera, Acorus calamus, Asparagus racemosus, Ocimum sanctum, etc. were successful. Farmers reported lack of markets in central and eastern parts of the state for cultivated species. Since 80 percent of ISM industries are skewed to western part of the state, cultivation is more viable there due to locational and market factors.The demandfor cultivated species is increasing and wild sources of medicinal plants are being replaced. If markets are linked properly, the farmers, traders, herbal industries, processing units and exporters will benefit. Agroforestry systems will ensureregular supply of raw drugs. The paper highlights some interesting findings for development of the sector.