Entrepreneurship development
Entrepreneurship Development is a structured program that aims to
equip individuals with the knowledge, tools, and mindset to start,
manage, and grow their own businesses. It focuses on developing
entrepreneurial competencies like creativity, risk-taking, decision-
making, and innovation.
It is essential for economic growth, innovation, and job creation,
especially in developing countries.
Herbal drug industry
Entrepreneurship development in this sector involves training
individuals to identify opportunities in herbal medicine, develop
products, ensure regulatory compliance, and bring safe, effective herbal
formulations to market.
Objectives
To promote value addition and commercialization of traditional
knowledge.
Eg
If someone knows a home remedy using tulsi and ginger for cough,
value addition would be turning that into a ready-made herbal
syrup or tea. Commercialization means selling it in stores or
online so others can buy it.
To encourage startups in herbal product formulation,
packaging, and branding.
To support rural and tribal communities through cultivation and
collection of medicinal plants.
To ensure standardization and quality assurance in herbal
products.
To bridge traditional knowledge with modern science and
business practices.
Barriers to Entrepreneurship Development
Lack of capital
Fear of failure
Inadequate infrastructure
Limited access to markets
Regulatory hurdles
Lack of mentorship and guidance
Scope and Opportunities
Global Demand (Why the Scope is Huge)
Global herbal medicine market is projected to cross USD 400
billion by 2030.
Increasing demand for natural, plant-based, and side-effect-free
products.
Ayurveda, Yoga, and Wellness are gaining global popularity.
🇮🇳 India’s Position
One of the world’s largest producers of medicinal herbs.
Over 7,000 plant species with documented medicinal properties.
Rich heritage in Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and tribal medicine
systems.
Opportunity
A. Cultivation of Medicinal Plants
High demand for herbs like Ashwagandha, Tulsi, Aloe Vera, Giloy,
Shatavari.
Support from National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB).
Opportunity for contract farming with herbal companies.
🔹 B. Processing & Manufacturing
Set up small-scale manufacturing units for:
o Herbal syrups
o Capsules and tablets
o Oils and balms
o Herbal cosmetics
Follows GMP and AYUSH regulations.
🔹 C. Herbal Cosmetics & Personal Care
Growing demand for chemical-free beauty products.
Products like face packs, shampoos, soaps, creams using herbal
extracts.
Big market through e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Flipkart,
and Nykaa.
🔹 D. Nutraceuticals & Dietary Supplements
Herbal health boosters, detox drinks, immunity products.
Used for lifestyle diseases: diabetes, obesity, stress, etc.
Huge potential in domestic and export markets.
🔹 E. E-commerce and Retail
Sell herbal products through:
o Own website
o Marketplaces like Amazon, Flipkart
o Ayurvedic clinics and wellness stores
Demand for subscription boxes and custom herbal remedies.
🔹 F. Export Opportunities
Countries like USA, Germany, UAE, Japan import large volumes
of Indian herbal products.
Need for standardized, certified, and well-packaged products.
🔹 G. Tourism & Wellness
Open Ayurveda spas, wellness centers, and herbal retreats.
Combine with tourism in states like Kerala, Uttarakhand, Himachal
Pradesh.
Focus on holistic health and lifestyle.
Components of Entrepreneurship Development in the Herbal
Industry
Training and Skill Development
Training
Courses, workshops, and mentorship on business basics, marketing,
finance, etc.
Herbal drug manufacturing techniques
Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP)
GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) for herbal units
Quality control and standardization (HPTLC, HPLC, etc.)
Skill development
Leadership and decision-making and negotiation
Problem-solving and critical thinking
Institutional Support
National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB)
Ministry of AYUSH
Entrepreneurship Development Institutes (EDIs)
CSIR, CIMAP, CCRAS, and other research bodies
Financial Assistance
Start-up India – Tax benefits, funding support, ease of business
MUDRA Yojana – Loans to micro and small enterprises
Skill India Mission – Vocational training and skill development
Stand-Up India – Financing SC/ST and women entrepreneurs
Atal Innovation Mission – Promoting innovation and
entrepreneurship among youth
Regulatory Awareness
Understanding of Drugs & Cosmetics Act (India), FDA (US),
EMA (Europe)
Labeling, safety, efficacy, and clinical validation
Patenting and IP rights for herbal formulations
Steps in Developing an Herbal Entrepreneurship Venture
Idea Development
This is the foundation of your business.
Identify a medicinal plant or traditional remedy
Analyze its demand, market potential, and uniqueness
A herbal cough syrup made from Tulsi, Mulethi, and Ginger — no
artificial preservatives.
Market Research
Understand who will buy your product, and what the competition looks
like.
Target audience - age, lifestyle, preferences (e.g., health-conscious
people, organic buyers).
Competitor analysis - price, packaging, ingredients.
Explore trends: herbal beauty, Ayurveda for immunity, clean-label
supplements.
Find market gaps – something people need but can't find easily.
Business Plan Preparation
Guiding entrepreneurs to draft feasible and sustainable business plans
This is your roadmap. It explains your business model, strategy, and
finances.
What in clude
Vision and goals
Product details (formulations, ingredients)
Market strategy
Target audience
Budget and cost analysis
Revenue model (how you’ll make money)
SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats)
Resource Mobilization
Helping them acquire land, capital, manpower, and raw materials
Raw materials: medicinal plant sourcing or farming
Manufacturing infrastructure
Skilled manpower
Compliance and Certification
Your product must follow government regulations to be legally sold.
GMP certification
AYUSH product license
Organic, Halal, or Eco-cert (for international markets)
Raw Material Sourcing
Ensure you get high-quality herbs and ingredients.
Partner with certified herb cultivators or organic farms
Use seasonal and regional herbs to reduce cost
Set up quality control checks (drying, grinding, moisture, etc.)
Branding and Marketing
This step helps your product stand out and build trust.
Create a strong brand name and logo
Use eco-friendly and attractive packaging
Write clear labels with usage, ingredients, and safety info
Include your certifications and benefits on the package
Online platforms (Amazon, Flipkart, personal website)
Influencer collaborations and wellness expos
Manufacturing and Infrastructure
Depending on your scale, choose between:
🔹 A. Own Manufacturing Unit
Invest in machines, space, staff
Must follow GMP standards
🔹 B. Contract Manufacturing (Third Party)
Partner with certified herbal manufacturers
Focus on branding and marketing while someone else makes the
product
Marketing and Distribution
Now you take your product to the customers.
🔹 Channels to Use:
Retail shops, Ayurvedic pharmacies
Online platforms: Amazon, Flipkart, 1mg
Your own website or app
Herbal fairs, exhibitions, and farmers markets
Collaborate with Ayurvedic doctors or wellness influencers
📢 Marketing Tools:
Social media ads (Instagram, Facebook)
Influencer partnerships
Sampling, offers, and combo packs
Educational content (blogs, reels, YouTube)
Post-Startup Support
Monitoring progress, offering advice, solving problems
Challenges in Herbal Entrepreneurship
Lack of awareness of regulatory requirements
Difficulty in standardizing herbal raw materials
Intellectual property protection for traditional knowledge
Supply chain issues for consistent raw material quality
Inadequate market access and branding strategies
Case Studies of Successful Herbal Entrepreneurs
Patanjali Ayurved (Baba Ramdev & Acharya Balkrishna)
→ From small setup to global brand
Forest Essentials - Mira Kulkarni
→ Luxury Ayurvedic cosmetics brand focused on export
Puneet Nanda (GuruNanda)- Company sells essential oils and
Ayurvedic products, combining Indian herbs with global wellness trends.
Dr. Rati & Vishal Vaidya (Dr. Vaidya's)- Dr. Vaidya's was relaunched
in 2016 by Vishal Vaidya, using his family's 150-year-old Ayurvedic
legacy. With his wife Rati, he turned it into a millennial-friendly herbal
brand.