Odisha Approves Five-Year Vision Plan for Medicinal Plants; Launches ‘Kalinga Herbs’ Brand

Bhubaneswar: The 6th Executive Body Meeting of the State Medicinal Plants Board (SMPB), Odisha was held yesterday at the Conference Hall of the Home Department, where the board approved its Five-Year Vision Plan aimed at strengthening the conservation, cultivation, and commercialization of medicinal plants across the state.

The meeting was chaired by Satyabrata Sahu, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Forest, Environment & Climate Change Department, with the proposal presented by V. Karthick, IFS, Chief Executive, SMPB.

Announcing the key outcomes, Sahu said the first year of implementation would be funded through the Odisha Forestry Sector Development Society (OFSDS). From the second year, the program will expand through convergence with departments such as AYUSH, Panchayati Raj, and SC & ST Development, ensuring broader outreach and sustainable growth.

To strengthen technical collaboration, Odisha will sign MoUs with FRLHT (Bengaluru), IRMA (Anand), and MSSRF (Chennai) in the first week of November 2025.

A major highlight of the plan is the launch of the state’s dedicated herbal brand, “Kalinga Herbs”, under which products developed through the initiative will be marketed. To promote accessibility, the Chief Executive of RPRC, Bhubaneswar, has been directed to establish a dedicated outlet for SMPB’s herbal products.

The meeting was attended by senior officials including Suresh Pant, IFS (PCCF & HoFF), G. Rajesh, IFS (CCF, PPA), Gorakh Waman Kalunge, IFS (Director Horticulture), Smt. Anjana Panda (Director AYUSH), and Sudhansu Sekhar Khora, IFS (Chief Executive, RPRC). Other members and invitees present included Dr. Murugesan, IFS (PD, OFSDP – Special Invitee), Debapriya Kampa (DCF, SMPB), Anup Kumar Sahoo (Additional Secretary, PR & DW Department), and Manoj Kumar Nayak (Deputy Director, SSD Department).

The Five-Year Vision Plan is expected to boost Odisha’s medicinal plant sector by ensuring conservation-driven livelihoods, expanding market access, and positioning the state as a leader in herbal innovation.