| CSIR-IIIM, LAHDC partner to launch MAPs farm in Leh | | | Early Times Report
LEH, Nov 12: In an endeavour towards promoting medicinal, aromatic and flowering plants cultivation in Ladakh, the CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), a constituent laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) under the Union Ministry of Science & Technology, has today entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh to set up a demonstration Farm for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs) cultivation at Palam in Leh.
The MOU was signed by Director CSIR-IIIM, Dr. Zabeer Ahmed and Executive Councilor (Agriculture) for and on behalf of LAHDC Leh, Stanzin Chosphel in the presence of Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC, Leh Tashi Gyalson, Head RMBD & IST division and Srinagar Branch; Er. Abdul Rahim, Executive Councillor (Animal/Sheep) Sh. Tashi Namgyal Yakzee.
CEC Tashi Gyalson emphasized that besides implementing the objectives of societal mission programmes of CSIR, the job-oriented training and skill development to the local farmers and unemployed youths should also be taken up on priority by CSIR-IIIM, which would have great bearing on the income generation and employment.
Dr. Zabeer Ahmed highlighted ongoing initiatives of CSIR-IIIM and the other labs of CSIR under Agri-Nutri Biotech theme to support the region's upliftment through scientific advancements in agriculture and cultivation of Medicinal, Aromatic and flowering crops. Citing a couple of success stories like Purple revolution in J&K brought through lavender cultivation by IIIM and golden revolution for marigold cultivation in Himachal Pradesh by IHBT, another lab. of CSIR, Dr. Zabeer mentioned the vast potential and opportunities available in the Ladakh region to bring the barren land under cultivation directly impacting the farmers' economy and regional prosperity.
Dr. Ahmed also commended the efforts made in Ladakh to cultivate medicinal plants with the support of the local government. He assured me that he would provide scientific and technological support to local farmers and entrepreneurs. This includes guidance on expanding crop varieties, processing, value addition, and marketing strategies to enhance economic self-sufficiency in the region.
Pertinently, CSIR-IIIM has initiated Research and Development activities to introduce economically more remunerative and industrially important Medicinal and Aromatic crops at the Palam Farm on an experimental basis. The Institute is developing scientific protocols for the introduction of successful crops in the cropping system of Ladakh so that industrially important crops can be extended to the farmer's field for large-scale production. The introduction of economically essential crops among the farmer community will develop the agri-entrepreneurship ecosystem in Ladakh and lead to the socio-economic upliftment of the region's farmers.
CSIR-IIIM has successfully introduced Lavendula angustifolia, Rheum emodi, Podophyllum hexandrum, Salvia spp., Inula racemosa, Tegetusminuta, Mentha spp., Artemisia absinthium, Berberis aristata, Dracosphyllum, Rodiolarosae and Plantigo major. The institute is developing protocols for cultivation, processing, and post-harvest management to extend these crops to the farmer's field and is planning to introduce more crops. |
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