STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: The CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), in collaboration with the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), Ministry of AYUSH, organized a day-long Buyer-Seller Meet on the Medicinal and Aromatic Plant (MAP) sector at the CSIR-IIIM Branch Laboratory, Srinagar.
The event brought together growers, startups, researchers, and industry stakeholders from across the country to deliberate on opportunities, challenges, and market linkages in the MAP sector.
The program witnessed the participation of over 100 farmers from various districts of the Kashmir region and several buyers representing industries and organizations from across India.
The chief guest on the occasion was Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM, while Dr. Suresh Sharma, Director AYUSH J&K and CEO, J&K Medicinal Plant Board, was the Guest of Honour. Other dignitaries on the presidium included Kavita Tyagi, Consultant (Medicinal and Agronomy), NMPB, Prof. T.H. Masoodi, Nodal Officer, RCFC North NMPB-II, and Prof. Mansoor Wani, Head, Department of Botany, University of Kashmir.
In his inaugural address, Dr. Zabeer Ahmed emphasized the immense potential of medicinal and aromatic plants in drug discovery and sustainable livelihood generation.
He noted that cultivating MAPs can significantly uplift the farming community by providing new income avenues and reducing dependence on conventional crops.
Dr. Ahmed highlighted CSIR-IIIM’s pivotal role in scientific research, technological outreach, and its contribution to phytopharmaceutical drug discovery.
He remarked that Jammu & Kashmir, with its rich biodiversity of over 3,000 medicinal plant species, holds vast potential for developing standardized herbal products that can compete in global markets.
He also appreciated the efforts of NMPB and AYUSH in strengthening collaboration between government bodies, research institutions, and private stakeholders.
Delivering his keynote address, Dr. Suresh Sharma shared success stories of progressive farmers and startups working under the Medicinal Plant Board.
He detailed various central and state-level schemes and projects being implemented by AYUSH and NMPB to promote MAP cultivation, processing, and marketing in the region.
Earlier, Dr. Waheed Ul Hassan welcomed the participants and provided an overview of the day’s agenda. He expressed gratitude to Dr. Ahmed and all stakeholders for their active involvement and continued support in promoting the MAP sector. During the technical session, five expert lectures were delivered on diverse aspects of MAP entrepreneurship and value addition. Dr. Qazi Pervaiz Hassan spoke on Entrepreneurship Opportunities in MAPs, while Dr. Waheed Ul Hassan discussed the Development of Coordinated Linkages in the MAP Sector for Successful Entrepreneurship. Dr. Phalisteen Sultan highlighted CSIR-IIIM’s initiatives in promoting MAP cultivation, processing, and value addition. Manzoor Javaid, Managing Director, SJT Biotech Innovations Pvt. Ltd., shared insights into Startup Development Opportunities through MAPs in J&K.
The program concluded with a formal vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad Payer, District AYUSH Officer, Srinagar, who lauded the collaborative efforts of CSIR-IIIM and NMPB.
The proceedings of the event were conducted by Dr. Shazia Mukhtar, Medical Officer, AYUSH, who commended the participants for their enthusiasm and commitment to advancing the MAP sector in the Union Territory.