Whatever goes round, must come round. That's true of almost all things in life. Civilisation has come a full cycle and it's time that for all our problems, we got back to our roots. Literally! Roots, herbs or even a whole plant - that's Ayurveda's mantra for a healthy life. Potions, pills and concoctions derived from these plants and herbs find a detailed mention in the ancient treatises for their excellent curative properties. These are the plants and herbs which are classified under the term `Vedic Plants'.

Bangalore was witness to a three-day national seminar on `Assessing the Economic Potential of the Vedic Plants of India' from  June 20-22. As for the purpose of the seminar, the organisers said that though more and more people are becoming aware of the relevance of the ancient modes of treatment and health care, professional scientists have lamented that even basic research in these fields are hard to come by. This is a major drawback especially in these days of heavy R&D-focussed healthcare enterprises.

However, there are not many agencies, corporate or otherwise, who have come forward to take up research or even to fund it because no clearcut commercial possibilities have been identified as of yet. In other words, research in Ayurvedic or alternative medicine practices are not perceived as a lucrative option. So for this to happen and the much needed cash to flow in, the industry must understand the economic potential of cultivating these rare, medicinal plants.

The seminar also aimed to sensitise social groups towards the veritable knowledge that our ancient texts hold and that needs to be tapped to bring about some good health for the global denizens.

Among the speakers on the first day were Vaidya S Usman Ali, distinguished entomologist, botanist and specialist in multidisciplinary drug Research, Guduvancherry, Tamil Nadu, who delivered the inaugural address. Vaidya Ali stressed on the need for authentic identification of  Vedic plants, known as they are by different names in different regions across India. The country has rich biodiversity including a treasure trove of Vedic plants, but "we have so far reaped not the fruits, but only the foliage", he said. He made a special mention of Dr R A Mashelkar of the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research, who has done pioneering work in compiling a database of medicinal plants. Dr Satyanarayan Bhat of the Ayurvedic College, Bangalore, spoke extensively on the Vedic Plants of India: Uses and Priorities.

On Day 2, the first speaker was Dr M Vasundhara of the University of Agricultural Sciences, who gave an interesting presentation on the `Cultivation of Vedic Plants of India'. Why is cultivation relevant in the first place - she posed the question and then proceeded to answer it in the form of two sets of points: Costs and benefits.

Inputs/factors involved taking up Vedic Plant cultivation:

• Genetic improvement of crops
• Product quality and efficacy
• Improved post-harvest handling
• Training- skilled & unskilled
• Community education
• Sustained effort in production

• Improved bio-diversity
• Increased production on remote and barren lands
• Commercial production brought about by an increased awareness of Ayurveda
• Sustainable supply of herbs
• Employment

Vasundhara also gave instances of the exact cost per hectare involved in the cultivation of some Vedic plants, as well as the profit per hectare. A yield of Tulsi _ one of the most revered plants in the Hindu tradition _ she mentioned, brings about a profit of Rs 12 per kilo per hectare. She also revealed that South Africa has 120 varied species of  the Tulsi plant! She mentioned that Tulsi has 37 uses, among which the most prominent are as:

• anti-pollutant
• laxative
• cure for honeybee stings, tooth aches and even cancer
• for preparation of medicinal oil, powder and paste

indiamarkets spoke to Dr Vasundhara regarding the issues that dog the agricultural scene today:

indiamarkets: In the hype that surrounds IT today, do you think that agriculture (cultivation of medicinal plants) is somewhere being sidelined? What does the government/industry need to do?
Dr Vasundhara: The Government ought to pay attention, but not overenthusiasm, and certainly not at the cost of medicinal plants! It ought to make the field more secure and make it more lucrative for farmers to take up this venture; I for one feel that it is imperative that the industry introduces buy-back guarantee so that the risk factor is reduced.

indiamarkets: Can you tell us something about the interface (or the lack of it) between farmers and the industry?
Dr Vasundhara: The University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), to where I belong, has recently set up an association called the APMAC, which organises regular meetings between growers and people from the industry. This allows a lot of interaction and feedback between the two, helps regulate the supply according to the demand from the industry and introduce the latest technology to farmers.

indiamarkets: What is being done about the documentation of medicinal plants, which is such an important factor in their cultivation?
Dr Vasundhara: I am glad that there are a lot of government agencies as well as NGOs who are into this documentation work. Various invaluable plant species are being examined and documented by the IISc, FRLHT (Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions), besides the University of Agricultural Sciences, with the help of NGOs.

indiamarkets: What do you have to say about the patent problems that India is facing?
Dr Vasundhara: I feel the issue of patents to rice, neem, turmeric, ginger puree etc is a very real threat and the Government needs to take remedial measures very soon.