Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 3: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Jammu organized a one- day Stakeholders Meet-cum-Workshop on Medicinal Plants, in collaboration with Regional-cum-Facilitation Centre, North II, SKUAST-Kashmir, sponsored by National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), Ministry of AYUSH, Govt of India.
Prof Pradeep K Sharma, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu, inaugurated the workshop in the presence of Dr Sheikh Bilal Ahmed, Regional Director, RCFC North II, Dr N Padma Kumar, Advisor NMPB, Dr Phuntsog Angchuk, Director ISM, Dr J P Sharma, Director Research, SKUAST-Jammu, Rakesh Kumar Srangal, Director Horticulture, Jammu, Dr R K Arora, Associate Director Extension & I/c KVKs, SKUAST-Jammu and others
In his inaugural address, the Vice Chancellor discussed the opportunity for farmers to enhance their income through cultivation of medicinal plants. Considering the accessability of varied ecosystems, from sub-tropical to temperate, in Jammu region, Dr Sharma invited Advisor, Ministry of AYUSH to discover the possibilty of setting a sub-centre at SKUAST-Jammu for wider coverage of farmers in entire Jammu region.
Earlier, Dr Arora discussed the priorities of KVKs in Jammu region to supplement farmers’ income through cultivation of medicinal plants. Dr Sheikh Bilal Ahmed discussed the efforts of his centre to popularise medicinal plants in whole Jammu and Kashmir State and requested stakeholders to take keen interest in developing the State as a hub of medicinal plants.
Dr Kumar, Advisor NMPB, discussed the various schemes offered by National Medicinal Plant Board for increasing the base of medicinal plants. He informed that Ministry of AYUSH is offering exposure visits for farmers of J&K to visit different States topping the list in production of medicinal plants. Dr Phuntsog Angchuk, Director, ISM, deliberated upon the importance of using traditional knowledge for treatment of various diseases through medicinal plants.
R K Srangal, Director Horticulture, stressed upon the introduction of interventions such as intercropping and mixed cropping of medicinal plants in the established orchards and farms. Dr J P Sharma, Director Research, stressed upon the need for carrying out research to develop new varieties which can enhance the active ingredient in usable parts of respective medicinal plants.
Dr Wahid-Ul-Hassan of State Medicinal Plant Board and Dr Lalit M Gupta of SKUAST-Jammu, delivered the expert lectures on cultivation and use of medicinal plants.
More than 150 farmers from different districts of Jammu region shared their views and concerns related to production and marketing of medicinal plants.
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