Srinagar: Three-day national seminar and stakeholder meet on ‘Startup Opportunities in Medicinal Plants’ concluded on Wednesday at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar campus.
The workshop was organised by the Regional cum Facilitation Centre, Northern Region-II, NMPB, SKUAST-K in collaboration with the World Bank-ICAR funded National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP) for the institutional development of SKUAST-K.
Director Education & DSW, SKUAST-K, Prof MAA Siddique, who was the chief guest at the valedictory session, briefed about the importance of medicinal plant sector. He said J&K has the potential to be a model bio-economy, given the vast natural resource base of the region and focus should be on low volume high value business in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. Top scientists across India were present in the seminar. Prof. Ravinder Raina, Director Raina Naturals & Educational Consultants, focused on India’s Potential in Medicinal Plant sector, its market demand and the way forward for promotion & cultivation of MAP’s. He also discussed about the resource sustainability issues & various entrepreneurship opportunities in Himalayan Medicinal Plants.
Former Director, Dept. of Environment and Remote Sensing, Dr OP Sharma, appreciated the RCFC, NR-II for conducting the timely seminar on medicinal plants and impressed upon the participants to come forward and take it to the commercial level.
Director Planning & Monitoring SKUAST-K, Prof. Haroon R. Naik, delibrated upon the Innovation & Start-up potential in Medicinal & Aromatic Plants sector in J&K.
Two technical sessions were conducted for oral and poster presentation, wherein students presented on the different Start-up aspects of this booming sector. More than 100 participants including scientist staff, scholars, researchers and entrepreneurs from across India were present. Poster and Oral presentations were held on different thematic areas of Medicinal Plants Sector, where young entrepreneurs and students presented their novel ideas in this booming sector.
Emeritus Scientist IARI, New Delhi, Prof Suresh Walia, acknowledged the efforts of RCFC, NR-ll in promoting the rare and endangered medicinal plant species and spreading the word regarding the same among the masses.
Regional Director RCFC NR-II, Prof. Sheikh Bilal Ahmed thanked all the dignitaries for gracing the occasion and briefed the audience about the need and importance of conducting such kind of seminars for generation of livelihood.
Dr. Peerzada Ishtiyak Ahmad (Asstt Prof. FoF) proposed the vote of thanks. The seminar aimed to create awareness regarding medicinal plant conservation, cultivation and promotion among the educated youth, entrepreneurs and farmers.

KR Desk