Medicinal Plant Cultivation: A Scientific Approach

World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that at least 80% of the world population rely on traditional systems of Medicine for their primary health needs. These systems are largely plant based. According to WHO over 21 000 plant species are useful in the preparation of medicines. Due to the growing awareness about side effects and complications of chemical and synthetic medicines, cosmetics and health supplements, usage of herbal products has gained importance both in the Eastern and Western worlds. Herbal plants have global market worth about US$ 62 billion per annul and India's share is only 0.2%. We hope that this market will grow up to about 15% in near future.Planning Commission of Government of India in June 1999 has established a task force to study the export market. The task force suggested to fix up the target of medicinal plant export to the tune of Rs. 3000 crores by 2005 and Rs. 10,000 cores by 2010. This is the proper time for India to make relentless efforts to take