Patna: The Bihar government will promote the cultivation of medicinal plants among farmers under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), with cultivation of aloe vera, ashwagandha, brahmi and shatavari planned across 100 hectares in the state.
Agriculture Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said the government is working to diversify agriculture and create additional income opportunities for farmers. The initiative aims to provide farmers with alternatives to traditional crops by promoting medicinal plant cultivation in selected areas through a cluster-based approach.
Rs 36,000 subsidy per hectare
The government has made a provision of Rs 36 lakh under the scheme. Eligible farmers will receive a subsidy of Rs 36,000 per hectare for medicinal plant cultivation.
Under the plan, areas of five hectares per revenue village or cluster will be identified for cultivating aloe vera, ashwagandha and brahmi. For shatavari, four hectares per revenue village or cluster will be identified.
The initiative will also provide farmers with technical guidance, information related to production and support for organising marketing activities, according to the government.
Focus on cluster-based cultivation
The government plans to promote medicinal plant cultivation in a planned manner in selected areas, with clusters expected to help farmers access technical assistance and coordinate production and marketing.
The Agriculture Department said promoting medicinal plants would provide farmers with additional cultivation options and help expand the state’s potential in this sector.
