Jammu, December 14: Directorate of Agriculture Production & Farmers welfare, Jammu, in collaboration with Quality Council of India (QCI), Government of India (GOI), organized one day training programme under Voluntary Certification Scheme for Medicinal Plant Produce (VCSMPP) here at Kisan Kendra Talab Tillo Jammu, here today.
The purpose of the programme was to encourage Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Forest collection Practices (GFCP) in medicinal plants.
Inaugurating the programme, Joint Director Agriculture (Inputs), A S Reen highlighted the growing importance of Ayurvedic medicine over allopathic medicine and termed the cultivation of medicinal plants as good income generating venture.
Joint Director Agriculture (Extension), Subash Chander Sharma urged the participating farmers to take full advantage of the training to learn about different aspects of medicinal plant cultivation and share with the fellow farmers the knowledge gained in the programme.
Director QCI, Dr. Hari Prakash, while elaborating the purpose of the program, deliberated on current scenario of medicinal plant trade, standards in good agriculture practices/ management of medicinal plants cultivation. He discussed the different parameters of quality control and criteria for certification of medicinal plant produce and further value addition, packaging, transportation and storage. He further informed that QCI with the support of National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPH) is conducting capacity building programme for farmers and collectors in medicinal plant all over the country.
Technical session was conducted by Sh. J. C. Raina, Agronomist. He deliberated in detail regarding medicinal value and package and practices for cultivation of various medicinal plants including Turmeric, Tulsi, Aloevera, Ashwagandha, Giloy, Brahmi, Stevia, Niazbo, Ajwain, Lemon grass and Safed musli . He also threw light on activities being undertaken by the directorate of Agriculture for promotion of medicinal plants. A stall displaying various medicinal plants raised in grows bags also set up on the occasion for awareness among the farmers.
Concluding session was marked by self assessment by participant farmers, feedback and certificate distribution.
Others present on the occasion included Manik Gupta, Assistant Director QCI (Nodal Officer of the programme); Sanjay Dhar, Programme officer; Ashwani Kumar Jojra; SDAO Marh, and other Officers of the department of agriculture besides a good number of farmers.
