ITANAGAR, Sep 11: Agriculture Minister Gabriel D Wangsu pitched for creating stronger linkages among farmers, scientific institutions, government agencies and entrepreneurs to help enable State’s rich biodiversity generate sustainable livelihood opportunities while ensuring environmental conservation and responsible utilization of natural resources.
The Minister made this pitch today while addressing the 11th National Ayurveda Day cum Farmers’ and Entrepreneurs’ Meet, organized at the CSIR–North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR–NEIST), Branch Itanagar, Naharlagun, supported by the National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB).
The programme brought together scientists, researchers, farmers, entrepreneurs, traditional knowledge holders and other stakeholders with the objective of promoting Ayurveda, medicinal and aromatic plants, sustainable utilization of biodiversity, scientific cultivation and entrepreneurship in Arunachal Pradesh.
The programme commenced with the ‘Ek Ped MaaKe Naam’ plantation initiative, which was led by the Minister (chief guest), Dr Ramanuj Narayan, Director CSIR–IMMT, Bhubaneswar (guest of honour) and Dr Virendra M Tiwari, Director CSIR–NEIST, Jorhat.
The plantation activity symbolized the commitment towards environmental conservation and sustainable utilization of the rich plant resources of Arunachal Pradesh.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister highlighted enormous potential of Arunachal Pradesh in agriculture, horticulture and medicinal and aromatic plant cultivation. He stressed the importance of creating stronger linkages among farmers, scientific institutions, government agencies and entrepreneurs so that the State’s rich biodiversity can generate sustainable livelihood opportunities while ensuring conservation and responsible utilization of natural resources.
Dr Narayan also addressed the gathering and emphasized the role of science and technology in translating natural resources and traditional knowledge into sustainable societal and economic benefits.
An overview of the celebration of Ayurveda Day was presented by Dr Gurucharan Bhuyan, Head, Regional Ayurveda Research Institute (RARI), Itanagar. In his address, he highlighted the relevance of Ayurveda and the need for systematic scientific documentation, validation and promotion of traditional medicinal knowledge.
The inaugural session included the National Song, and the ceremonial lighting of the lamp. Dr Tiwari emphasized the importance of scientific research and institutional collaboration for harnessing the immense bioresource potential of the Northeastern region.
The programme also featured the distribution of plant materials, reinforcing the importance of quality planting material and scientific cultivation practices for strengthening medicinal and aromatic plant-based livelihoods.
A dedicated technical session was organized on “Cultivation of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants”, followed by an interactive session with farmers, entrepreneurs, participants and invited guests. The agenda specifically provided for technical discussion on medicinal and aromatic plant cultivation and interaction with stakeholders.
The technical and interaction sessions involved experts, who contributed to discussions with farmers and entrepreneurs on scientific cultivation, medicinal plant resources, value addition, research opportunities and entrepreneurship.
The interaction focused on practical issues concerning the cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants, the availability of quality planting material, sustainable harvesting, post-harvest handling, processing, product development, market opportunities, and technology-based entrepreneurship.
The discussions also highlighted the importance of developing region-specific models for the utilization of Arunachal Pradesh’s biodiversity while maintaining ecological sustainability.
The programme concluded with a brief speech by Dr Chandan Tamuly, Scientist-in-Charge, CSIR–NEIST, Br Itanagar.