BUDGAM: The Regional Cum Facilitation Centre Northern Region-II (RCFC NR-II), National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), Ministry of AYUSH, SKUAST-K, on Saturday organized a Training-cum-Awareness Programme on “Opportunities in Cultivation of Medicinal Plants of Kashmir Valley” at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Budgam.
The programme aimed to promote the scientific cultivation, conservation and commercialization of high-value medicinal plants of the Kashmir Valley while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for farmers, youth and other stakeholders.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Bilal Ahmad Lone, Head, KVK Pulwama, highlighted the rich diversity of medicinal plant resources found in the Kashmir Valley. He stressed the importance of conserving these valuable bioresources and adopting sustainable utilization practices to enhance rural livelihoods and ensure their long-term preservation.
Dr. Sofi Imtiyaz Ali, Project Manager, RCFC NR-II, delivered a comprehensive lecture on the agro-techniques, post-harvest management and market linkages of commercially important medicinal plants of the Kashmir Valley. He emphasized the vast scope for medicinal plant-based enterprises and underlined the initiatives undertaken by RCFC NR-II to promote the conservation, cultivation and commercialization of medicinal plants across Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
During the programme, participants were also sensitized about various schemes and financial assistance available under the NMPB, for the cultivation, processing and value addition of medicinal plants.
The programme concluded with an appeal to participants to adopt scientific cultivation practices, explore medicinal plant-based entrepreneurship and make effective use of the technical guidance and institutional support available through RCFC NR-II for developing sustainable livelihood opportunities.
The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from farmers, aspiring entrepreneurs, youth and other stakeholders, besides scientific and technical staff of KVK Budgam and the RCFC NR-II team.