Jammu, March 28: A Stakeholders meet cum Workshop on cultivation of Medicinal Plants was today organised here at Baba Jitto Kissan Kendra, Jammu. The workshop was organized by Regional cum Facilitation Centre (SKUAST-K), a wing of the National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB) under the Ministry of Ayush (GOI) in collaboration with department of Agriculture, Jammu and inaugurated by Director Agriculture Production & Farmers Welfare, Jammu, K. K. Sharma by lighting the ceremonial Lamp.
The day-long workshop was attended by progressive farmers of Jammu division associated with the cultivation, preservation, collection and value addition of medicinal plants.
In his welcome address, Regional Director RCFC North II, SKUAST Kashmir, Sheikh Bilal said that the theme of the workshop is to discuss the available opportunities and different challenges in cultivation of medicinal plants in a more profitable way .
The Director Agriculture, in his keynote address, stressed on farmers to adopt cluster based approach in cultivation and marketing of medicinal and aromatic plants after proper value addition for receiving remunerative returns. He called for the growing of medicinal plants by every householder as part of urban farming for everyday use. He expressed satisfaction over the workshop for bringing all the stakeholders like farmers, various government departments including agriculture, forest, horticulture, directorate of AYUSH under one roof.
Former Director of Ecology and Environment, J&K, O. P. Sharma, (IFS) highlighted the health benefits of medicinal plants cultivated/found in J & K.
Nodal officer UT Medicinal Plant Board, Waheed, discussed the ongoing government schemes as well as subsidy structure related to cultivation of different medicinal plants Like aleovera, shatavar, serpgandh, harad, lavender etc.
Earlier, Joint Director (Extension), Jammu, Subash Chander Sharma outlined the need and importance of the workshop and said that department of Agriculture is promoting the cultivation of medicinal plant in a big way as income generating venture for the farmers.
The technical session was conducted by Dr. Mudasir Ahmad, Deputy Director, RCFC, North II, SKUAST-K during which he elaborated on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), cultivation and collection of medicinal plants.
Programme officer, DoA, Jammu, Sanjay Dhar presented the vote of Thanks.
