Author

Rima Kumari

Abstract

India has been known to be rich repository of medicinal and aromatic plants since ancient period. But over the past few decades, there has been a continuous decrease in natural resources of medicinal plants as they are heavily exploited to meet the increasing demands and supply in various sectors; pharmaceutical, cosmetic, perfumery as well as traditional health practices. Therefore there is urgent need to enrich medicinal plant resources that could be opted through agricultural cultivation of medicinal plants. As medicinal plants are in high demand is both local and global market, its cultivation would be a very profitable agri-business for Indian farmers. Bihar being situated in northern and north eastern region as well as in Gangatic plain region has diversified agro-climatic condition and well suitable for sustainable agriculture. Systematic cultivation of high value medicinal and aromatic plants under prevailing agro-ecological condition could be profitable approach to enrich the local economy of Bihar. Present research paper aims in creating awareness amongst local farmers, traders and educated unemployed youth of Bihar state regarding the medicinal potential of aromatic plants and its profit return scope. Present paper also highlighted the job perspective, value chain aspects, government policies and program on promoting medicinal plant cultivation in state and national level as well as to coordinate with all matters relating to cultivation, processing, market trade, and export of value added medicinal products and raw herb material.

Pages: 85-90

Doi Number 10.61289/jibs2024.03.25.170

Keywords medicinal herbs, sustainable farming, awareness, rural economy, value aspects.