Medicinal plants can open new avenues for jobs, entrepreneurship in Ladakh: CEC Kargil

KARGIL: The medicinal plant sector has considerable potential to generate employment and promote entrepreneurship among young people in Ladakh, CEC Kargil Dr Mohd Jaffer Akhoon said on Thursday, calling for greater use of traditional knowledge alongside scientific cultivation, processing and marketing practices.

Akhoon was speaking at a Stakeholders’ Meet-cum-Workshop on “Strengthening of Medicinal Plants Sector through Conservation, Sustainable Cultivation and Entrepreneurship Development”, organised in Kargil in collaboration with the School of Horticultural Science and Technology, University of Ladakh, Kargil Campus.

The programme brought together scientists, farmers, students and officials to discuss conservation, commercial cultivation, value addition and marketing of medicinal plants in the region.

Dr Akhoon highlighted the role of traditional knowledge holders in identifying and collecting medicinal plant resources. He referred to locally known plants such as Makshang, Shamdun, Bila Mandok and Buma, which have traditionally been used for various ailments, including stomach-related problems.

He urged students and young entrepreneurs to participate in awareness and capacity-building programmes and explore opportunities in the scientific cultivation, processing and marketing of medicinal plants.

The programme began with a welcome address by Dr Imtiyaz Ali, Project Manager, RCFC NR-II, SKUAST-K, who highlighted the economic potential of medicinal plants and the challenges posed by climate change, overharvesting, overgrazing and the erosion of traditional knowledge.

Dr Imtiyaz said demand for medicinal plant raw materials was estimated at around 6,000 tonnes, underscoring the need for scientific cultivation, sustainable harvesting, proper packaging, processing and marketing to reduce losses and improve farmers’ returns.

He highlighted Ladakh’s rich medicinal plant diversity and said the Regional Cum Facilitation Centre (RCFC) would provide technical support and capacity building to farmers and entrepreneurs for commercial cultivation and value addition.

The workshop also discussed the need for research trials, demonstration plots, improved cultivation practices, packaging standards and commercialisation of medicinal plants.

RCFC proposed establishing a herbal garden in Ladakh, subject to availability of land, besides supporting a skill-development workshop proposed for November.

Discussions also centred on establishing two nurseries in Kargil and nearby areas, with concerned departments assuring farmers of support under various schemes, including assistance related to transportation and entrepreneurship.

The participants also discussed the economic potential of local fruits and the scope for expanding their markets and exports following the removal of earlier restrictions on their movement and marketing.

During the question-and-answer session, farmers and students raised issues related to cultivation, marketing, packaging, transportation and nursery development. Representatives of RCFC and the concerned departments responded to the issues and discussed possible support mechanisms.

The programme was attended by Dr Faizan Ahmad, Dean, School of Horticultural Science and Technology, University of Ladakh; Ali Raza, Chief Horticulture Officer, Kargil; Dr Mansoor Hussain, Junior Scientist, KVK Kargil, University of Ladakh; Tsering Norboo, Agriculture Extension Officer, Department of Agriculture, Kargil; Niyaz Ali, Range Officer, Sankoo; and Dr Ather Sidiq Zargar, Marketing Manager, RCFC-II, SKUAST-K, among others.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr Ather Sidiq Zargar, who appreciated the participation of farmers, students, scientists and officials and called for continued collaboration to promote conservation, sustainable cultivation and entrepreneurship in Ladakh’s medicinal plant sector.