e-Charak Portal — Medicinal Plants Marketplace of India
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India
Developed by: National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB)
Technical Partner: Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Pune
Official Website: https://echarak.nmpb.nic.in
What Is the e-Charak Portal?
The e-Charak Portal (Electronic – Centre for Herbal Agro-Resources, Knowledge, and Information Base) is an online platform created by the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) under the Ministry of AYUSH.
It serves as a virtual marketplace and knowledge hub for everyone involved in the medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) sector — from farmers, collectors, and traders to manufacturers, researchers, and exporters.
In simple words —
e-Charak connects people who grow, process, and sell medicinal plants with those who need them — making the herbal economy transparent, accessible, and sustainable.
Objectives
| Goal | Description |
|---|---|
| Promote Herbal Trade | Facilitate easy buying and selling of medicinal plants online. |
| Empower Farmers | Help cultivators directly connect with industries and reduce middlemen. |
| Ensure Transparency | Maintain real-time data on availability, demand, and prices. |
| Knowledge Sharing | Provide technical guidance, cultivation practices, and market trends. |
| Encourage Sustainable Use | Promote cultivation of endangered and high-value medicinal species. |
Integration with Other Portals
| Linked Portal | Function |
|---|---|
| AYUSH Systems Portal | Unified access to herbal sector data. |
| AYUSH Research Portal | Cross-linkage to medicinal plant studies. |
| AYUSH GRID | Digital backbone connecting research and trade platforms. |
| NMPB Portal | Funding, subsidy, and cultivation guidelines. |
| GeM / e-Marketplace | Facilitates government procurement of herbal raw materials. |
Knowledge Repository
e-Charak hosts comprehensive, easy-to-use resources, including:
- Medicinal Plant Database: Botanical names, habitats, and chemical properties.
- Cultivation Manuals: Crop-specific cultivation and post-harvest techniques.
- Policy & Guidelines: Government subsidy and quality certification standards.
- Research Links: Access to related studies on AYUSH Research Portal.
- Export Information: Data on international demand and trade compliance.
Key Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Digital Marketplace | Enables registered users to post offers and requirements for medicinal plants. |
| Farmer & Buyer Network | Direct interaction between cultivators, traders, and manufacturers. |
| Crop Knowledge Base | Scientific data on over 1,700 medicinal and aromatic plants. |
| Price & Market Trends | Real-time updates on supply, demand, and pricing. |
| Discussion Forum | Peer-to-peer interaction among stakeholders. |
| Expert Advisory | Access to cultivation, processing, and quality control guidance. |
| 🌐 Mobile-Friendly Interface | Simple design accessible on all devices. |
How It Works
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Visit https://echarak.nmpb.nic.in. |
| 2 | Register as a Farmer, Buyer, Supplier, Researcher, or Institution. |
| 3 | Post your product availability or requirement. |
| 4 | Browse listings and connect with verified users. |
| 5 | Use integrated tools for queries, expert advice, and crop support. |
Categories of Users
| User Type | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Farmers & Cultivators | List crops for sale, find buyers, access cultivation guidance. |
| Traders & Manufacturers | Source raw materials and post purchase requirements. |
| Researchers & Institutions | Access plant databases and collaborate with industry. |
| Exporters & Entrepreneurs | Discover export opportunities and build trade networks. |
| Government Agencies | Monitor MAP cultivation, supply chains, and sustainability data. |
Key Achievements
Over 40,000 registered users across India.
1,700+ medicinal plants listed with verified data.
Facilitated direct linkages between farmers and AYUSH industries.
Reduced dependency on intermediaries, improving farmer income.
Provides state-wise data dashboards for policymakers.
Integrated with National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) schemes.
Achievements at a Glance
1,700+ verified MAP species documented.
Over 40,000 users registered from 28 States and UTs.
Simplified procurement for AYUSH industries.
Promoted sustainable and organic cultivation.
Facilitated data analytics for policy decisions.
Social & Economic Impact
- Empowers farmers and rural communities through digital trade.
- Supports Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat in the herbal sector.
- Boosts export potential of India’s medicinal plant industry.
- Promotes environmental conservation through sustainable harvesting.
Funding & Management
- Implemented and managed by NMPB, Ministry of AYUSH.
- Technically supported by C-DAC, Pune.
- Funded under Central Sector Scheme for Medicinal Plants Research & Development.
- Supervised by Joint Secretary (Medicinal Plants), Ministry of AYUSH.
Who’s Who (Leadership & Coordination)
| Designation | Officer Name | Role |
|---|---|---|
| CEO, National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) | Dr. Anand K. Chaudhary (current, 2025) | Overall policy direction and portal oversight. |
| Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH | Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha | Administrative supervision and inter-ministerial coordination. |
| Technical Director (C-DAC Pune) | — | Digital architecture and data management. |
| Portal Administrator (NMPB) | — | User registration, moderation, and support. |
Benefits to Citizens
| Beneficiary | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Farmers | Better market access, price transparency, and income generation. |
| Industries | Direct sourcing of quality raw materials. |
| Researchers | Access to verified plant data and publications. |
| Policy Makers | Data-driven planning and policy formulation. |
| Citizens | Awareness about herbal resources and their sustainable use. |
Contact & Grievance Redressal
National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB)
📍 Ministry of AYUSH, AYUSH Bhawan, GPO Complex, INA, New Delhi – 110023
📧 Email: info-nmpb@nic.in / echarak@nmpb.nic.in
📞 Helpline: 011-24651827 / 011-24651859
🌐 Portal: https://echarak.nmpb.nic.in
Grievances:
https://pgportal.gov.in → Ministry of AYUSH → e-Charak Portal / NMPB
Useful Links
- National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB): https://nmpb.nic.in
- Ministry of AYUSH: https://ayush.gov.in
- AYUSH Research Portal: https://ayushportal.nic.in
- AYUSH Systems Portal: https://ayush.gov.in
- GeM Portal: https://gem.gov.in