Agri - Entrepreneurship Development through Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) - A Prospective Study in the Context of North Eastern Region of India

Abstract

Sustainable development of natural plant products offers N-E region of India a huge opportunity to gain a foothold in the burgeoning worldwide market for medicinal and aromatic plants. Given the bio-resource rich endowment of nature, the north-east India is one of the richest repositories of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAP) in the World. Agri-business development in this region has huge potential if effectively tapped and developed through sustained entrepreneurial activities in areas of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs). The existing scenario of industrial backwardness calls for the tremendous growth prospects of medicinal plants and its commercial use. Scientific approach for their exploration; conservation and value addition may be the key points for entrepreneurship development by exploiting the indigenous technology knowledge. This in turn will provide income, employment, and economic development especially to its rural communities. The paper is dedicated with a three-fold objective: firstly, to explore sustainable entrepreneurial avenues in MAPs of N-E India; secondly, to identify MAPs as a catalyst for Industrialization; and finally, to suggest means for economic activity based on medicinal plants which can be a august source of employment generation and opportunity for self employment.