AYUSH, herbal sector now worth lakhs of crores: PM Modi

Bengaluru: India's AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) and herbal products sectors have expanded into an economy worth lakhs of crores of rupees amid steadily increasing global demand and exports, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday, asserting that rising household incomes have created fresh opportunities for preventive healthcare. The recent data showing 50 crore citizens moving out of extreme poverty over the past 12 years means Indian families are now better positioned to prioritise wellness and adopt healthier lifestyles, he said, speaking at the golden jubilee celebrations of Prashanthi Kutiram in Bengaluru.

Highlighting the economic and global footprint of traditional Indian medicine, the PM pointed to the institutional push following the creation of a dedicated Ministry of AYUSH, alongside a greater focus on Ayurveda-based research and patents.

Turmeric & Herbal Export Push


"India's exports of AYUSH and herbal products are continuously increasing, and the economy related to the AYUSH sector has become worth lakhs of crores of rupees," Modi said. He singled out turmeric as a major export growth driver, noting that a staple of Indian households for generations is now seeing robust international demand. To institutionalise this momentum, the Centre has established the National Turmeric Board to bolster production, quality standards and overseas shipments, he added.

To tap into global wellness tourism and create opportunities for Indian youth, the government introduced the e-AYUSH visa facility, streamlining entry for foreign nationals seeking traditional treatments in India. Modi also underscored the establishment of the World Health Organization's Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar as a key milestone in advancing research and international cooperation. Calling Yoga a "zero-cost health budget" that offers freedom from both disease and indulgence, Modi said India had projected its traditional knowledge systems globally with confidence over the past decade.