Nauni University Secures ₹82.72 Lakh Grant to Strengthen Medicinal Plant Cultivation and Research in Northern India

The National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), functioning under the Union Ministry of Ayush, has selected Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, to operate its Regional-cum-Facilitation Centre for Northern Region-I. The initiative aims to strengthen medicinal plant cultivation, conservation and research while supporting the growing demand for quality herbal raw materials.

The university has received financial approval of approximately ₹82.72 lakh for the centre's operations, following an official sanction issued on 16 October 2026. Its selection was made through a competitive national evaluation process.

The centre will coordinate medicinal plant development programmes across seven states and Union Territories, including Delhi, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.

Its activities will focus on developing high-quality planting materials, promoting scientific cultivation techniques and supporting farmers involved in medicinal plant production. Special attention will be given to commercially important and threatened plant species to encourage sustainable cultivation and reduce dependence on wild harvesting.

The university will utilise its expertise in tissue culture, agricultural technology and post-harvest management to improve the availability and quality of medicinal plants. Training programmes, technical workshops and awareness initiatives will also be organised for farmers, collectors and other stakeholders.

Additionally, the centre will facilitate coordination among research institutions, government departments, medicinal plant growers and herbal industries. It will support information-sharing on production, market demand and trade opportunities.

Previously located at Jogindernagar in Himachal Pradesh since 2017, the regional centre will now operate under Nauni University's administration, strengthening research collaboration and the medicinal plant supply chain across northern India.

03-11-2026