Cultivation of Medicinal Plants an Effective Means to Increase Farmers' Income: Forest Minister Mr. Kedar Kashyap

Raipur, Compared to traditional crops, the cultivation of medicinal plants requires less cost, less water, and fewer chemical fertilizers. However, due to high demand in national and international markets, farmers earn manifold profits. Crops like Ashwagandha, Shatavar, Aloe Vera, Tulsi, and Lemongrass are excellent options for increasing farmers' income with less effort and expense. On the eve of Hareli Tihar, the Chhattisgarh government encouraged farmers cultivating medicinal and aromatic plants. In a program organized by the Chhattisgarh Tribal, Local Health Tradition, and Medicinal Plant Board under the Forest Department, an advance incentive amount of Rs 54.36 lakh was distributed to farmers and self-help groups from Narayanpur (Abujhmad) and Dhamtari districts. Forest and Climate Change Minister Mr. Kedar Kashyap attended the program held at the State Forest Research Building Zero Point in the capital as the chief guest. The program was presided over by the Chairman of the Chhattisgarh State Medicinal Plant Board, Mr. Vikas Markam, with Vice Chairman Mr. Anjay Shukla and MLA Mr. Anuj Sharma present as special guests. Providing advance payment for medicinal plant cultivation to farmers is a gift of Hareli Tihar. Addressing the program, Forest Minister Mr. Kedar Kashyap said that the cultivation of medicinal plants is emerging as a low-cost, high-profit option for farmers. It requires less water, negligible expenditure on pesticides, and additional income can be earned by planting medicinal plants on farm bunds. He said that Hareli is Chhattisgarh's oldest festival connected with agricultural culture. On this occasion, providing advance payment to farmers for medicinal plant cultivation is truly a gift of Hareli Tihar, which will give new economic strength to the farmers. On this occasion, the Forest Minister Mr. Kedar Kashyap was welcomed by the Board Chairman Mr. Vikas Markam, Vice Chairman Mr. Anjay Shukla, and Board Chief Executive Officer Mr. J.A.C.S. Rao with garlands and bouquets prepared by women from self-help groups. Conservation and Promotion of Rare Medicinal Species In the program, Board Chairman Mr. Vikas Markam said that under the guidance of Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Deo Sai and Forest Minister Mr. Kedar Kashyap, the board is continuously working for the conservation and promotion of forest medicines, preservation of traditional knowledge, capacity building of vaidyas, and increasing farmers' income. He informed that the work of conservation and promotion of about 50 rare medicinal species, which are on the verge of extinction in Chhattisgarh, has also been started. Forest Medicine is the Basis of Our Traditional Health System. Board Vice Chairman Mr. Anjay Shukla said that the importance of forest medicines is the basis of our traditional health system. In rural areas, people still use natural medicinal plants, and this is the greatest strength of our health tradition. In the program, Board Chief Executive Officer Mr. J.A.C.S. Rao informed that the board is promoting medicinal plant cultivation in a mission mode. Free saplings are provided to farmers, and arrangements for the purchase of produce are also ensured, so that they do not face any marketing difficulties in cultivation. In the program, an advance incentive amount of Rs 54.36 lakh was given to 25 farmers from Narayanpur (Abujhmad), 18 farmers from Dhamtari district, and 43 self-help groups. This amount was provided through institutions contracted by the board, Messrs Stevia and Insta Herbs, so that farmers can start cultivating medicinal plants without financial hardship. This initiative will not only promote the cultivation of medicinal plants but also increase farmers' income, enhance women's economic participation, and provide new strength to Chhattisgarh's traditional health traditions.