Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh is expected to witness a surge in demand for medicinal crops as Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced plans to start 100-bed ayurvedic wellness centres in every district and establish AYUSH colleges in six underserved divisions, officials said.The CM announced the expansion of AYUSH services across the state during the inauguration of Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath AYUSH University in Gorakhpur on Tuesday.“The vision will give a push to holistic healthcare and rural growth by boosting the demand for medicinal crops. This will enhance farmers’ incomes and create jobs across cultivation, processing, and supply chains, strengthening rural economy,” an official said.“Data trends show that the export of Ayurvedic products rose dramatically from USD 2.85 million in 2014 to USD 18 billion in 2020. This underscores an increasing international trust and demand for traditional Indian health systems,” he said.“CM Yogi Adityanath has a personal and traditional association with yoga and Ayurveda and holds great influence as the leader of the Nath sect. He is taking steps to make UP a hub for health tourism. The state govt is also extending incentives on the farming of medicinal crops under the National AYUSH Mission and the Uttar Pradesh Medicinal Plantation Mission,” he said.Key medicinal crops eligible for govt subsidy include sarpagandha, ashwagandha, brahmi, kalmegh, kaunch, shatavari, tulsi, aloe vera, vach, artemisia, giloy, amla, and jatamansi, which are eligible for subsidies ranging from 30 to 75%. “The govt is encouraging farmers to cultivate a single type of medicinal plant collectively in clusters to attract direct market access,” the official added.This potential is reinforced by the presence of premier central govt institutions in Lucknow, including the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) and the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP). “These institutions are not only engaged in cutting-edge research but also actively support grassroots medicinal farming by training farmers and promoting best practices,” they said.
