EXIM scenario

The annual demand of botanical raw drugs in the country was estimated at approx 320 MT for 2005-06. Around 70% of the Indian exports from the AYUSH sector consist largely of raw materials and are estimated to be of the order of Rs 1000 crore per annum. The balance consists of finished products including herbal extracts.

 Percentage of plant species under different systems of medicine

Source: Demand & Supply, NMPB 2008

Export:  The total quantity of exported medicinal plants including plant extracts was 57880 MT. Psyllium exports constituted 35.6 % of total exports of medicinal plants followed by Senna (18.9%). The total value of plant raw drugs exported (excluding extracts) was Rs. 354.8 Crores corresponding to a quantity of 56,500 MT. The annual export of India’s herbal sector added to Rs. 807 Crores as per DGCIS data. This includes exports worth Rs. 354.80 Crores relating to plant raw drugs, Rs.161 Crores relating to plant extracts and Rs. 291 Crores to medicants of AUS and H. It shows that the finished herbal products constitute nearly 36 % of the total exports of India s herbal sector and the balance 64 % exports are in the form of raw materials and extracts. On comparing the export data with previous year shows a sizeable increase of Rs. 185 Crores i.e. nearly 30 %.

Import: Total 40 (number) commodities were enlisted for import. The consolidated figures of such imports amounted to 37,483 MT (Rs.173 Crores) and Gum Arabic constituted the largest proportion by quantity (12,731 MT;   34 %).

Government stand

Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Naturopathy, homeopathy, and yoga are all recognized by the Government of India. The first step in granting this recognition was the creation of the Central Council of Indian Medicine Act of 1970 while the Central Council of Homeopathy (CCH), constituted in 1973. The primary areas of work for the Department are education, standardization of medicines, enhancement of availability of raw materials, research and development, information dissemination, communication, and the involvement of traditional medicine and homeopathy in national health care. The Indian Government seeks the active and positive use of traditional medicine and homeopathy in national health programs, family welfare programs, and primary health care.