**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Ayush is showcasing its efforts to promote integrative healthcare and rural empowerment at the National Arogya Fair 2026 in Shegaon, Maharashtra from February 25-28, 2026. The fair highlights Ayush systems, medicinal plant cultivation, and value addition. Union Minister Shri Prataprao Jadhav emphasized Ayush's role in preventive healthcare and rural prosperity.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Fair Overview:**
* The National Arogya Fair 2026, held in Shegaon, Maharashtra, features a pavilion showcasing the Ministry of Ayush's initiatives.
* The pavilion highlights preventive, promotive, and integrative healthcare through Ayush systems.
* **Ministerial Address:**
* Union Minister Shri Prataprao Jadhav emphasized Ayush's role in addressing lifestyle disorders.
* He encouraged the adoption of Ayurvedic home remedies, citing the "Aaji Bai ka Batua" concept.
* **Pavilion Highlights:**
* Participation from Research Councils, National Institutes, and the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB).
* Showcasing research achievements, academic programs, clinical services, public health initiatives, and advancements across Ayush systems.
* Dissemination of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials related to flagship schemes and research outcomes.
* Interactive displays and exhibitions on medicinal plants and herbal products.
* **Healthcare Services:**
* Free medical consultations by qualified practitioners from various Ayush systems (Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, Homoeopathy).
* Distribution of free Ayush medicines, prioritizing underserved areas.
* Live Yoga demonstrations and therapy sessions.
* **Medicinal Plants Initiatives:**
* Dedicated stall by the National Medicinal Plants Board showcasing initiatives related to medicinal plant cultivation and conservation.
* Comprehensive workshop on medicinal plant cultivation, harvesting, processing, and market linkage.
* Signing of nine Letters of Intent, including one between Sevarpan Farmer Producer Organization and Veloce Herbals Pvt. Ltd. for turmeric procurement.
* **Strategic Goals:**
* Emphasis on structured market linkages and quality standards to establish India as a reliable global supplier of medicinal plant raw materials.
**Impact Analysis**
**Citizens / Public**
* **Impact:** Access to free medical consultations, Ayush medicines, and education on preventive healthcare and Ayush systems. Opportunity to engage in Yoga demonstrations and therapy sessions.
* **Action Required:** Consider adopting Ayush principles and practices in daily life, participate in available healthcare services, and learn about medicinal plants.
**Farmers / Agri-Entrepreneurs**
* **Impact:** Opportunity to learn about medicinal plant cultivation, conservation, and market linkages. Potential for income enhancement through cultivation of high-value medicinal plants.
* **Action Required:** Participate in workshops, explore opportunities for medicinal plant cultivation, and engage with initiatives by the National Medicinal Plants Board.
**Healthcare Providers**
* **Impact:** Platform for showcasing advancements in Ayush systems and research outcomes. Opportunity to provide consultations and promote Ayush practices.
* **Action Required:** Engage with the Ministry of Ayush and Research Councils, stay updated on the latest research and developments, and promote integrative healthcare approaches.
**Industry Stakeholders**
* **Impact:** Opportunity to engage with farmers and establish structured market linkages for procurement of medicinal plant raw materials.
* **Action Required:** Engage with farmers and agri-entrepreneurs to establish partnerships and sustainable supply chains for medicinal plants.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Ayush: The central ministry responsible for developing and promoting Ayush systems of medicine in India.
National Arogya Fair: A fair organized to showcase and promote integrated healthcare and rural empowerment through Ayush systems.
National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB): A board under the Ministry of Ayush responsible for promoting the cultivation, conservation, and sustainable management of medicinal plant resources.
Shegaon: The location in Maharashtra, India where the National Arogya Fair 2026 was held.
Central Sector Scheme on Medicinal Plants: A scheme implemented by the National Medicinal Plants Board under the Ministry of Ayush to promote cultivation, conservation and sustainable management of medicinal plant resources.
AYUSH
Ministry of Ayush showcases integrated
healthcare and rural empowerment at National
Arogya Fair 2026 in Shegaon
“Ayush is becoming the backbone of preventive healthcare
and rural prosperity,” says Union Minister Shri Prataprao
Jadhav
“Medicinal farming will empower villages and position India
as a global Ayush leader”
Posted On: 27 FEB 2026 11:55AM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Ayush is showcasing a vibrant and comprehensive pavilion at the National Arogya Fair
2026 being held from February 25 to 28, 2026 at Shegaon in Buldhana district of Maharashtra. The
pavilion reflects the Ministry’s continued commitment towards strengthening preventive, promotive and
integrative healthcare through various Ayush systems of medicine while simultaneously promoting rural
livelihoods through medicinal plant cultivation and value addition.
On the second day of the Fair, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush, Shri Prataprao
Jadhav, addressed a large gathering of farmers, practitioners, entrepreneurs and members of the public.
Emphasising the growing relevance of Ayush in addressing lifestyle disorders, he urged citizens to adopt
disciplined daily routines such as early sleep and early rising to combat conditions like diabetes and
hypertension. He highlighted the importance of preventive healthcare and encouraged the adoption of
simple Ayurvedic home remedies rooted in traditional wisdom, referring to the popular concept of “Aaji
Bai ka Batua” as an affordable and practical model for village-level self-care. He stated that Ayush is not
only a system of medicine but also a movement for social transformation, rural empowerment and global
leadership in holistic healthcare.
The Ministry’s pavilion features participation from its Research Councils, National Institutes and the
National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), showcasing research achievements, academic programmes,
clinical services, public health initiatives and evidence-based advancements across Ayush systems. A wide
range of physical and digital Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials are being
disseminated to create awareness about flagship schemes, research outcomes and public health outreach
programmes. Interactive digital displays and exhibitions on medicinal plants and herbal products are
engaging visitors from different age groups and backgrounds.
Free medical consultations are being provided by qualified practitioners from Ayurveda, Yoga and
Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy systems. Authentic Ayush medicines are
being distributed free of cost, ensuring direct healthcare benefits to citizens, particularly those from
underserved areas. Live Yoga demonstrations and Yoga therapy sessions are witnessing enthusiastic publicparticipation, highlighting the preventive and restorative potential of Yoga in managing stress and
lifestyle-related ailments. An exclusive Ayush Aahar segment is promoting region-specific and
nutritionally balanced dietary practices based on Ayush principles, reinforcing the critical role of diet in
preventive healthcare and overall well-being.
A dedicated stall by the National Medicinal Plants Board is generating considerable interest among
farmers and agri-entrepreneurs by showcasing initiatives related to medicinal plant cultivation,
conservation, quality planting material, post-harvest management and market linkages. In coordination
with the Agricultural Officer, ATMA Buldhana, PDKV Akola, RCFC Pune and NMPB Delhi, a
comprehensive workshop on medicinal plant cultivation, harvesting, processing and market linkage has
been organised during the Fair. Approximately 2000 farmers participated in the workshop, leading to the
signing of nine Letters of Intent. A notable Letter of Intent was signed between Sevarpan Farmer Producer
Organization and Veloce Herbals Pvt. Ltd., Gwalior, for the assured procurement of 100 metric tonnes of
turmeric, ensuring buy-back arrangements, stable pricing and strengthened supply chains for medicinal
crops. Such agreements are expected to encourage large-scale cultivation of high-value medicinal plants
including turmeric, ginger, shatavari and aloe vera, thereby enhancing farmer incomes and supporting the
Ayush industry.
Shri Jadhav also highlighted the importance of structured market linkages, quality standards and
institutional support to enable India to emerge as a reliable global supplier of medicinal plant raw material.
The National Arogya Fair 2026 has thus emerged as an important platform for direct engagement with
citizens, healthcare providers, farmers and industry stakeholders, reinforcing the Ministry’s vision of
holistic health, rural empowerment and global leadership in Ayush systems.
Shri Mahesh Kumar Dadhich, CEO, National Medicinal Plants Board, was also present on the occasion.
He addressed farmers on the Central Sector Scheme on Medicinal Plants which is being implemented by
the National Medicinal Plants Board under the Ministry of Ayush to promote cultivation, conservation and
sustainable management of medicinal plant resources across the country.*****
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