Jammu, Apr 15: The Directorate of Ayush and Medicinal Plants Board J&K on Monday organised a One-Day Skill Development programme for all stakeholders under the Medicinal Plants Sector to promote cultivation, conservation, and explore economic opportunities in the Medicinal Plant sector. The programme was held in the Auditorium of Bhaderwah Campus of University of Jammu.
Padamshree Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Union Secretary Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, graced the occasion as the chief guest, while Dr Mahesh Dadich, Chief Executive Officer, National Medicinal Plant Board, was the Guest of Honor. Prof Dr Meeta Kotecha, Advisor to Regional Cum Facilitation Centers, and Sh. Harvinder Singh, IAS District Development Commissioner Doda, were among the other dignitaries in attendance, along with 250 farmers/growers, researchers, Medical Officers of Ayush Department, and entrepreneurs.
In his address, Padamshree Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha appreciated the efforts of the Directorate of Ayush, J&K, for promoting Medicinal plants as an alternative source of employment in the Chenab valley of J&K. He highlighted various schemes and programs of the Ministry of Ayush, Govt. Of India for the welfare of farmers/traders engaged in the medicinal plant sector. He stressed the need to develop technology-based agro-techniques for better productivity of medicinal plants and linkages for improved trade practices.
Dr Mahesh Dadich emphasized that Jammu and Kashmir, especially the Chenab valley has great potential for the medicinal plants sector to become the backbone of employment and revenue generation. He stressed the importance of developing research-based methodologies for sustainable exploration of the sector and called for research organizations to conduct programs on better agro-techniques. He assured all support from the National Medicinal Plants Board in terms of supplying quality planting material and germplasm.
Prof Dr Meeta Kotecha, Advisor to Regional Cum Facilitation Centers, highlighted the need for better collaboration between J&K Medicinal Plants Board and RCFC SKUAST Kashmir to ensure the benefits of various schemes reach farmers at the grassroots level. She emphasized good cultivation practices and organic agricultural practices for better quality medicinal plant products.
Harvinder Singh (IAS), District Development Commissioner Doda, interacted with various medicinal plant entrepreneurs in the district and Chenab valley, urging farmers with less productive land to adopt the cultivation and propagation of medicinal plants in convergence with the J&K Medicinal Plants Board.
Dr Mohan Singh, Director Ayush and CEO Medicinal Plant Board J&K, thanked Padamshree Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Union Secretary Ministry of Ayush, Govt of India, for his support in promoting the Ayush Sector in the UT of J&K. He highlighted various achievements of the Directorate of Ayush J&K, especially in the medicinal plants sector, over the last three years.
Dr Singh informed that J&K Medicinal Plants Board has established two high altitude Nurseries at Baderawah and Gurez and a subtropical nursery at Tapiyal Samba for the continuous supply of quality planting material and germplasm.
Various expert speakers from RCFC, SKUAST Kashmir, IIIM-CSIR J&K, Forest Department, progressive farmers, and entrepreneurs shared their experiences and views on the promotion of this sector in the UT of J&K.
