India has a rich heritage and long history of using medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) in improving the quality of life. Therefore, the R&D of MAPs requires prioritization for efficient management. Recently, the demand for ayurvedic and herbal products has increased remarkably on the back of the recent COVID-19 pandemic. India can take advantage of this growing market demand. The current trend of indiscriminate collection of MAPs has brought many possible threats for rare and endangered species to the verge of extinction.The research and development in the cultivation and processing of MAPs have advanced well in the country due to the efforts of R&D organizations. Close coordination and harmony among research scientists, MAPs industries, and policy makers are compulsory to accomplish these goals. For sustainable development in MAP sector, the ICAR-DMAPR is marching ahead through basic, strategic and applied research with outreaching R&D activities of 26 centers under the All India Coordinated Research Project on Medicinal & Aromatic Plants and Betelvine (AICRP-MAP&B). The Directorate along with AICRPMAPB are doing commendable service towards development of varieties, technologies, quality seed and planting materials of important genetic stocks. Further, to bring in entrepreneurs in the MAP sectorand Medi-Hub TBI, a DMAPR technology incubator,operational at ICAR-DMAPR is efficiently facilitating entrepreneurship development in the MAP sector. We look forward to be farmers’ friendly always through our efforts in all aspects of development to make our country India No. 1 in this sector.

Jai Hind.  
Dr. Manish Das  
Director and Project Coordinator  
ICAR-Directorate of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research  
All India Coordinated Project on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants and Betelvine  
Anand, Gujarat - 387310.