Work is being done on Devaranya Yojana to increase the area under cultivation of medicinal plants in the state. District and block level committees have been constituted in 40 districts under the scheme. The objective of the scheme is to increase the agricultural income of the farmers, especially the farmers of tribal areas.
About 37 percent of the total geographical area of Madhya Pradesh is forest based, which is 12.27 percent of the total forest area of India. A large amount of rare medicinal plants are found in the forests of the state. Through the Devaranya scheme, a system of conservation and scientific exploitation and collection of all types of medicinal plants available naturally in the state is being developed. Efforts are being made to increase the production of various medicinal plants by coordinating with various departments of the government. Arrangements have also been made for training by organising farmers producing medicinal plants in areas having different climates. The scheme is being implemented jointly by AYUSH, Tribal Affairs, Panchayat and Rural Development, Forest, Horticulture and Food Processing and Farmers-Welfare and Agriculture Departments.
Assistance from MGNREGA for production of 51 types of medicinal plants
In order to promote the cultivation of medicinal plants in the state, farmers are being given assistance by MGNREGA to cultivate 51 types of medicinal plants. State Medicinal Plants Board has been constituted. Taking advantage of the scheme, farmers of tribal areas have planted medicinal plants on about 7000 hectare area. More than 600 farmers have registered themselves in Neemuch Krishi Upaj Mandi. Efforts are being made by the State Medicinal Plants Board to enter into MoU with the companies producing AYUSH medicines for storage and marketing of medicinal plants.
