By Dr. Pritam C. Baruah, Madhusmita Neog and Dr. Priyanka Das
In a significant development for India’s medicinal plant industry, Assam Agricultural University (AAU) has released comprehensive standard operating procedures (SOPs) for post-harvest operations of vital medicinal crops native to Assam.
This pioneering initiative, funded by the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), Government of India, promises to revolutionize the medicinal plant sector in Northeast India.
The guidelines, prepared by Dr. Pritam C. Baruah, Madhusmita Neog and Dr. Priyanka Das, focus on ten essential medicinal plants that have shown substantial commercial potential and medicinal value. This development comes at a crucial time when the global demand for natural medicines and supplements is experiencing unprecedented growth.
Strategic Importance for Northeast India
Northeast India stands at a unique crossroads of opportunity in the medicinal plant sector. The region serves as a natural habitat for several high-value medicinal plants, particularly Piper longum (Pippali), which has emerged as one of the most resourceful medicinal crops with significant market demand. The soil composition and climatic conditions of the Northeast create an ideal environment for cultivation, particularly for pippali, which has shown remarkable adaptation to the region’s ecosystem.
Despite this natural advantage, current market supply predominantly relies on forest collection rather than organized cultivation. This represents not just a missed opportunity but also raises concerns about sustainability and quality control.
However, recent years have witnessed a promising shift, with increasing cultivation activities taking root in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Manipur. This transition from wild collection to organized cultivation marks a significant step toward professionalizing the sector.
Detailed Harvesting and Post-Harvest Protocols
The research provides extensive insights into the harvesting and post-harvest management of several valuable medicinal plants. Sarpagandha (Rauvolfia serpentina), known for its snake-like roots, contains valuable reserpine alkaloid ranging from 1.7 to 3 percent. The root bark, which constitutes 40 to 56 percent of the whole root, contains more than 90 percent of the total alkaloid content. Winter months have been identified as ideal for harvesting, with plants requiring 2-3 years before the first harvest. The post-harvest process involves cutting roots into 12-15 cm pieces and carefully controlling moisture content to 10-12 percent during storage.
Pippali cultivation has shown particularly promising results. The plant begins flowering six months after planting, with fruits maturing approximately two months after formation. Harvesting occurs when fruits are firm and blackish-green, before ripening. The crop can be maintained productively for 4 to 5 years, providing multiple harvests. Post-harvest processing involves sun-drying the spikes for 4 to 5 days, followed by storage in moisture-proof containers.
Acorus calamus, commonly known as Bach, presents unique opportunities with its essential oil content ranging from 1.95 to 3.02 percent. The research has determined that drying rhizomes in controlled conditions at 40°C for 60 hours produces the highest quality oil. This finding has significant implications for commercial production, as the essential oil is widely used in the flavoring industry and the production of alcoholic beverages.
Comprehensive Post-Harvest Management System
The university’s standardized protocol for post-harvest management begins with meticulous sorting, where produce is carefully evaluated to separate immature or over-mature parts, ensuring consistent quality. This is followed by precise grading based on established parameters such as root diameter and fruit size, enabling standardized market pricing and quality assurance.
Foreign matter removal represents a critical phase in the process. The guidelines emphasize preventing contamination from soil particles, organic matter, and cross-contamination from other medicinal plants being processed simultaneously. The cleaning protocol includes detailed specifications for washing with potable water, particularly for root crops that require careful cleaning without damaging the valuable parts.
Temperature-controlled drying emerges as a crucial factor in preserving medicinal properties. Non-aromatic crops can withstand drying temperatures up to 60°C, while aromatic crops require more delicate handling at temperatures not exceeding 45°C. The guidelines provide specific drying durations for each crop, ranging from 7 hours to 34 hours in controlled conditions.
Market Integration and Economic Opportunities
The research identifies extensive market networks across India, with major trading hubs established in Kolkata, Chattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, and Bhubaneswar. Each hub maintains specialized traders and processors who work with specific medicinal plants. The guidelines provide comprehensive contact information for these traders, creating direct market access channels for producers.
In Kolkata, establishments like Morex India and Excel Drug House have emerged as significant players in the medicinal plant trade. Chattisgarh hosts numerous specialized traders, including Sarswati Trading and Singhal Trading, who have developed expertise in handling specific medicinal plants. The Andhra Pradesh market is served by organizations like Agrigold Farms and Agritech, while Bhubaneswar has developed a robust network of traders and processors.
Future Prospects and Industry Impact
The standardization of post-harvest operations represents a watershed moment in the development of Northeast India’s medicinal plant sector. These guidelines are poised to transform small-scale cultivation into a professional, quality-controlled industry. By implementing these protocols, farmers can significantly reduce post-harvest losses while improving product quality and consistency.
The involvement of premier research institutions, including ICAR-Directorate of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Research and the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, adds substantial credibility to these guidelines. Their participation ensures that the protocols meet international standards while remaining practical for local implementation.
As global demand for natural medicines continues to rise, these SOPs position Assam and the Northeast region to become major players in the medicinal plant industry. The guidelines provide a comprehensive roadmap for farmers and processors to meet international quality standards while maximizing the value of their crops, potentially transforming the regional economy through sustainable medicinal plant cultivation and processing.
To learn more, contact the authors at Assam Agricultural University.
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