Medicinal plants are valuable natural resources. Unplanned development and overexploitation of medicinal plants from non-managed, natural resources has not only resulted in shortage of various herbs, but extinction of several species in nature. In order to meet the growing demand for these plants, it becomes important to conserve these plant species either by way of domestication and cultivation or by other ex-situ and in situ conservation measures for their sustainable use. Emphasis on cultivation of the wild forms, rather than collecting from the wild would also ensure botanical identity, genetic improvement, quality and continuity in supply. Such cultivation may have to be initiated under well defined conditions showing f.e. micro-climates similar to the niche requirements of the various species.

Cultivation of medicinal plants for production of raw materials for industries can be taken up as an alternative land use system or mixed cropping system on existing farm and forestry lands. However, the major constraints encountered by those who want to do this are non-availability of quality planting material of genuine varieties, lack of extension support in the cultivation and processing and an organized market. The cost of production for cultivated crops is usually high as compared to the cost of material collected from the wild. As a result, cultivation of MPs has not been an attractive proposition to the farmers. Moreover, since no systematic distribution and marketing net work exists, the growers have to depend largely on the middlemen, who deprive the farmers of their legitimate share of revenue.