Medicinal plants get an e-marketplace

The app based platform, apart from being a showcase for goods and services and a forum for buyers and sellers to interact and exchange information.  

Disseminating more information about the app was one of the focus areas for the NMPB team at the four-day comprehensive health fair National Arogya 2017, which kicked off on Friday. 

A retired consultant with the Tamil Nadu State Medicinal Plants Board, tells us, “There is a huge disconnect when it comes to farmers or cultivators of medicinal plants and third parties (buyers or companies) who would require such produce. Using the e-Charak app, individuals, farmers, traders, self-help groups, companies such as nutraceutical firms and drug makers can connect with each other and source everything from planting materials to medicinal plants, herbal extracts and value added products.” 

He adds, “The platform enables users to find a better marker for their products or services. It also saves time and energy in identifying the right customer and ascertaining the value of one’s goods. More importantly, it can enable a farmer or a supplier gain his or her rightful share of benefits and make long term decisions on what and how much is to be produced.” 

Dr C Vijaya Baskar, TN Minister of Health & Family Welfare, inaugurated the health fair organised jointly by Ministry of Ayush, Directorate of Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy, Tamil Nadu and CII.