Experts from across government, academia, and industry have called for the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), digital diagnostics, and blockchain-based traceability to enhance quality assurance in India’s medicinal plant sector. The recommendations emerged from a two-day national seminar hosted by IIT Delhi, which focused on building farm-gate quality systems to improve the global competitiveness of Ayush raw materials.
National Seminar at IIT Delhi Highlights Urgency of Digital Transformation
The National Seminar on “Design and Development of Tools for Quality Assessment of Medicinal Plants at Farm Gates” was held on 8–9 January 2026 at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi. The event brought together policymakers, scientists, technologists, researchers, and industry leaders to deliberate on strengthening quality, traceability, and standardisation of medicinal plant raw materials right from the point of origin.
The discussions underscored that building credibility in India’s medicinal plant ecosystem must begin at the farm gate, where authenticity, purity, and quality can be scientifically verified before products enter the wider supply chain.
Leadership Emphasises Innovation, Regulation, and Traditional Knowledge
The seminar was inaugurated with keynote addresses by:
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Prof. Dr. Mahesh Kumar Dadhich, CEO, National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB)
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Prof. Dr. Tanuja Nesari, Director, Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA)
Both speakers highlighted the need to integrate technological innovation, robust regulatory frameworks, and India’s traditional knowledge systems to build global confidence in Indian medicinal plant raw materials.
Their remarks set the tone for a policy-driven, science-backed approach to quality-led growth in the Ayush ecosystem.
Day One: End-to-End View of the Medicinal Plant Value Chain
Technical sessions on the first day examined the entire value chain, including:
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Sustainable cultivation and regenerative agricultural practices
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AI-enabled quality assessment and digital phenotyping
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Digital documentation and traceability mechanisms
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Supply chain integration for domestic and export markets
Experts from institutions such as ICAR–DMAPR, IIT Delhi, WHO, Ministry of Ayush, CCRAS, Himalaya Wellness, and Herbalscape Crops shared evidence-based insights and field experiences.
The consensus was clear: India is both technically and institutionally ready to adopt AI-based diagnostics and integrated quality frameworks to enhance credibility in global markets.
Day Two: Roadmap for AI and Blockchain Integration
The second day focused on actionable roadmap development through two expert brainstorming sessions on:
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Integration of Artificial Intelligence in the Medicinal Plant Industry
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Use of Blockchain Technology for Supply-Chain Transparency and Traceability
Participants agreed that digital tools at the farm gate — including portable testing devices, AI-powered decision-support systems, and blockchain-backed traceability platforms — are no longer optional. Instead, they are essential to ensure authenticity, safety, export compliance, and international competitiveness.
Quality at the Point of Origin: A Strategic Imperative
A strong consensus emerged that quality must be built at the farm level, directly supporting the mandate of the National Medicinal Plant Board to empower farmers and collectors. Experts noted that technology-led interventions can:
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Reduce adulteration and variability in raw materials
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Minimise farmer losses
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Strengthen export readiness
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Improve compliance with pharmacopoeial standards
The seminar also highlighted the integration of traditional knowledge systems such as Vriksha Ayurveda with modern scientific quality frameworks, demonstrating how India’s heritage can be digitised and globally validated.
Aligning with National Priorities: Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India
The outcomes of the seminar strongly align with India’s broader policy goals of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India, positioning high-quality, traceable Ayush raw materials as a strategic national strength.
Participants emphasised the need for sustained support for:
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Pilot projects
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Technology deployment at the farmer level
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Capacity building initiatives under NMPB-supported programs
These measures are expected to make farm-gate quality assurance the cornerstone of India’s medicinal plant economy.
Conclusion
The IIT Delhi-hosted national seminar marked a significant step toward building a future-ready medicinal plant ecosystem in India. With broad consensus on the adoption of AI, blockchain, and digital quality tools, the event laid the groundwork for a national framework that prioritises quality, traceability, and global competitiveness. If implemented effectively, these recommendations could transform India into a global benchmark for trusted, technology-enabled Ayush raw materials.
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Source: PIB
