Ethno-pharmacological Interventions and Value Chain (VC) of Medicinal Plants (MPs): A Cohesive Approach for Sustained Livelihood

Abstract

Introduction: It is imperative to ascertain and validate the importance of medicinal plants (MPs) as one of the significant pointers of socio-economic development. Value chains (VCs) and effective supply chain management system are essential tools for establishing a network of farm produce until it is end-use as a value-added processed product. This necessarily requires throughput policy initiatives for bridging raw produce until grass-root innovative practices are attained as value addition. This hierarchical platform in Indian context is being catered to by National MPs Board under Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy. Key step lies in connecting socio-ecological, ethnopharmacological, and socio-economic factors and deciphering all the probable pathways leading to revenue generation by involving all stakeholders in a VC. Methods: Through extensive literature search encompassing 90 articles and book chapters, 8 web links, 3 conference proceedings, and 5 reports released by the World Health Organization, USAID, and Food and Agriculture Organization respectively on VC analysis of MPs in Indian context, we prepared metadata. Results: This metadata comprehensively led to our understanding of identifiable gaps in ethnopharmacological studies and a need to re-route the VC involving institutional settings and NGOs in particular. This also led to our understanding of further exploratory studies aimed at the establishment of pharmacovigilance centers, DNA barcoding for unknown species, and best conservation practices. Discussion: Essentially, VCs act as a conglomerate of agriculture/horticulture, technical interventions leading to innovations, sustainable and viable business models with utmost profit to main stakeholder – The farmer. Need of an hour is to stringently monitor and establish an equilibrium between demand versus supply. This can be facilitated by a convergence of all stakeholders, including farmers, scientists, industrialists, innovators, policymakers, and traditional healers. Conclusion: Different policy initiatives have been envisaged and executed by Government support systems to establish a cohesive approach between producers and consumers with an impetus to innovative technology development followed by its transfer to industrial counterparts. This integrative concept would not only lead to value proposition in MPs sector but would also have a way for the establishment of special-purpose vehicles leading to financial sustenance hence promoting a probabilistic gateway to circular economy.