Jammu, Mar 22: The Directorate of Ayush, Jammu and Kashmir, along with the J&K Medicinal Plants Board and the Department of Botany, University of Jammu, organised a one-day event titled “Developing Opportunities in Exploring Entrepreneurship in Medicinal Plants Sector”.
Dr Mohan Singh, Director of Ayush J&K and CEO of J&K Medicinal Plants Board, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The skill development program saw the participation of 60 research scholars from the University of Jammu and medical officers from District Jammu and Samba. Professor Seema Langar, Dean of the Faculty of Life Sciences, attended the program as the Guest of Honour.
During the event, Dr Mohan Singh appreciated the efforts of the Department of Botany in conducting the program, emphasising its significance in fostering employment opportunities in the Medicinal Plants Sector. He urged entrepreneurs in the field to adopt sustainability practices, ethical sourcing, and to stay updated with scientific advancements and market trends.
Dr Singh stressed the importance of collaboration with experts from various fields such as botany, pharmacology, agriculture, and business management to enhance the success and impact of entrepreneurial ventures in the sector. He highlighted the lucrative nature of starting a business in cultivating medicinal plants, with a focus on cultivating rare or high-demand species to cater to herbal medicine and pharmaceutical companies.
The Director Ayush emphasised the need for developing forward and backward linkages in the medicinal plants sector, for which the J&K Medicinal Plants Board pledged full assistance.
Professor Seema Langar underscored the importance of innovative value addition in meeting the demands of the herbal industry and consumers. She encouraged the establishment of species-specific startups in the medicinal plants sector.
Professor Susheel Verma, Head of the Department of Botany, provided technical insights into the cultivation practices of medicinal plants in sub-tropical areas. He shed light on the demand for sub-tropical medicinal plant species and their potential benefits in business modules.
Expert lectures were delivered by distinguished speakers including Dr Punit Choudhary, Chief Scientist and Head, KVK Jammu; Dr Sanjay Khajuria, Chief Scientist and Head, KVK Samba; Dr Namrata Sharma, Professor, Department of Botany; and Dr Aftab Iqbal Mir, Nodal Officer, Herbal Gardens Jammu Division. Dr Wahid Ul Hassan, Technical Officer, J&K Medicinal Board, provided a comprehensive overview of the training program and explained various projects and programs offered by the board for farmers, traders, and entrepreneurs.
The event also saw the participation of esteemed guests including Dr Rakesh Kumar Raina, Assistant Director, Directorate of Ayush J&K; Dr Vandna Dogra, Medical Superintendent, Government Ayurvedic Hospital, Jammu; and Dr Renu Dass, District Nodal Officer Ayush Samba, among others.
