In a significant step towards strengthening research and innovation in the medicinal plants sector, the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), Ministry of Ayush, and the University of Delhi, through Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences (BCAS), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today at Kartavya Bhawan, New Delhi. The MoU was signed in the presence of Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Ayush, and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare.

The collaboration aims to establish a long-term partnership for scientific research, product development, innovation, value addition, post-harvest technologies, sustainable packaging, technology transfer and capacity building, while promoting the sustainable utilization and conservation of India's rich medicinal plant resources.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Prataprao Jadhav said the initiative is in line with the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi of building a healthier, self-reliant and developed India by 2047. Describing the MoU as a landmark step, he said it would strengthen scientific research, promote innovation and unlock the vast potential of India's medicinal plant wealth through the integration of traditional knowledge with modern science.

The Minister observed that India possesses one of the world's richest repositories of medicinal plants and a centuries-old tradition of herbal healthcare. He emphasized that evidence-based research, innovation and value addition are essential to enhance the global credibility, competitiveness and market potential of India's medicinal plants sector.

Highlighting the broader impact of the partnership, Shri Jadhav said it would create new opportunities for young researchers, scientists and entrepreneurs, encourage innovation-led enterprises, generate livelihoods and contribute to the growth of India's bioeconomy. He expressed confidence that the collaboration would lead to the development of value-added products, sustainable technologies and farmer-centric solutions benefiting both industry and farming communities.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Mahesh Dadhich, Chief Executive Officer, National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), emphasized the importance of research-driven innovation in enhancing farmers' income through medicinal plant cultivation. He highlighted the potential of developing eco-friendly and health-safe packaging materials derived from medicinal plant resources as sustainable alternatives to conventional aluminium-based packaging and other environmentally harmful materials.

He further noted that cultivating medicinal plants in suitable ecological zones, including riverine areas, can simultaneously promote biodiversity conservation, ecological restoration and sustainable livelihood generation for farming communities.

The collaboration will leverage BCAS’s expertise in food technology, nutraceuticals, post-harvest processing and sustainable packaging. The institution's recent innovations, including patented technologies for value addition of biological resources, are expected to provide further impetus to translational research, technology commercialization and entrepreneurship in the medicinal plants sector. The MoU is expected to strengthen industry-academia collaboration, accelerate technology transfer and enhance public awareness regarding the health, economic and environmental significance of medicinal plants.

The event was attended by Prof. Balaram Pani, Dean of Colleges, University of Delhi; Dr Abdul Qayum Director (Tech), senior officials of the Ministry of Ayush and NMPB; BCAS faculty members, researchers, and media representatives.

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